Module MUSI3521: AN INTRODUCTION TO MUSIC THERAPY

Department: Music

MUSI3521: AN INTRODUCTION TO MUSIC THERAPY

Prerequisites

• ABRSM Grade 7 OR A-Level in Music.

Corequisites

• None.

Excluded Combination of Modules

• None.

Aims

• (i) To introduce students to the therapeutic use of music from both practical and theoretical perspectives.
• (ii) to introduce students to debates about music therapy, the use of music in the community, and the use of the art in therapy (iii) to demonstrate how music therapy fits into the wider use of music in the community (iv) to enable students to develop listening skills within a musical therapeutic context (v) to enable students to develop skills in using practical music-making which are used with patients and clients of all ages by qualified therapists.
• (vi) to enable students to develop skills in analysing and assessing technique used in music therapy.

Content

• Different approaches to music therapy: Introduction to the different therapeutic approaches; developmental, psychodynamic, behavioural and humanistic (2 lectures).
• Fundamentals of communication: To include early vocal, speech and language development and mother and infant interaction (1 lecture).
• Psychological processes in music therapy: Interpersonal communications and processes in group and individual work will be studied, including group dynamics, perception, attention and memory (2 lectures).
• Elements of sound and music: Study of the use of timbre, pitch, dynamics, rhythm, melody, harmony and silence within music therapy (3 practicals and 1 lecture).
• Applied music therapy: Overview of different applications of music therapy: learning difficulties (adults and children); autism and communication/social difficulties; emotional and behavioural problems; mental health; the elderly; the terminally ill (5 lectures).
• Practical music skills: Introduction to free, structured and themed improvisation.
• An exploration of therapeutic listening (4 practicals).
• Research and careers in music therapy: History of music therapy. An overview of areas of research: exploration of key aspects of training: career prospects (2 lectures).

Learning Outcomes

• To acquire an understanding of the art and science of music therapy.
• To acquire a basic knowledge of areas of research into music therapy.
• To develop an understanding of the role of music therapy in a variety of health and social care contexts.
• To become familiar with the conceptual frameworks drawn on by difference schools of music therapy, together with the debates surrounding them.

• To enable the student to demonstrate improvisation skills in handling a range of instruments, including percussion.
• To evaluate therapeutic approaches to music making.
• To demonstrate ability to contribute to discussions in music therapy.

• to develop the ability to work as part of a team.

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

• The study of Music Therapy involves both theoretical and practical engagement, the latter being predicated in the first instance on workshop experience using music skills in ways that are often very different to the normal experience of music students in higher education.
• The fieldwork experience, although necessarily very limited in scope as a result of practical constraints as regards access to patients provides an invaluable insight into how Music Therapy actually works in practice, albeit necessarily from the viewpoint of an observer rather than a practitioner.
• The modes of assessment appropriately draw together these contributing strands to provide a quantifiable basis for confirming the outcomes.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Summative Assessment

Formative Assessment:

(I) A book review, 1000 words. (ii) A written critique of a video, 1000 words. (iii) A practical assessment of developing improvisation skills.

■ Attendance at all activities marked with this symbol will be monitored. Students who fail to attend these activities, or to complete the summative or formative assessment specified above, will be subject to the procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University