Module MUSI40630: New Orientations in Theory and Musicology

Department: Music

MUSI40630: New Orientations in Theory and Musicology

Prerequisites

• None

Corequisites

• Dissertation (90UCUs)

Excluded Combination of Modules

• None

Aims

• To outline new orientations in the fields of music theory and musicology. Students will be introduced to ideas and methods in writings representing a broad range of musical research.

Content

• The course will comprise between 5 and 9 tranches, with topics drawing from fields such as: historical musicology; ethnomusicology; critical theory and aesthetics; music analysis; history of theory; semiotics; British-Irish music; historiography; palaeography; performance theory.

Learning Outcomes

• 1.Deploy critical awareness and reflection in response to texts and other sources taught in the course. Students will acquire familiarity with seminal writers in key texts thus attaining an overview of current musical thought.

• 2. Appraise the views of scholars on particular topics, and to make effective use of these views in formulating original insights.
• 3. Interdisciplinary knowledge in textual and score analysis.
• 4. An ability to assimilate and critically reflect on texts in a broad range of subjects, drawing connections, and negotiating the relationships between words, concepts, and musical tones

• 5. Read, assimilate, reason, and articulate critical positions consistently and coherently in a substantial piece of work.
• 6. Manage a substantial piece of work, and integrate arguments in a persuasive, coherent manner.
• 7. Work independently, taking the lead in the research topic and communicating this to the tutor.
• 8. To reason and to verbalise thoughts in seminar situations, to research, plan, articulate and present written assignments, to analyse aural experience utilising graphic metalanguage

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

• The course will centre upon directed reading and discussion of texts (LO 1, 2). Students will be introduced to interdisciplinary studies through the critical appraisal of texts and analytical approaches to scores and performances (LO 3, 4, 5). A key aspect of the course is that it will be taught by a group of staff, thus benefiting from a spectrum of specialisms (LO 4). This will also encourage intra-disciplinary investigation and thinking in students’ work. The course is assessed through the preparation of formative and summative assignments, which will encourage independent thinking and organisational skills (L0 6, 7); written and oral formative feedback will be given regularly on both summative and formative assignments, as well as on students’ contribution to the course seminars (LO 8). To this extent, peer feedback will also play a significant formative role. Occasionally, students will prepare, present and guide sessions independently or in small groups (LO 8).

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Summative Assessment

Formative Assessment:

2000 word essay to be submitted in week 5 of the Michaelmas Term to be chosen from an approved list. Occasional directed reading.

■ 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