Module MUSI2691: Historical Studies 2

Department: Music

MUSI2691: Historical Studies 2

Prerequisites

• MUSI1261 Historical Studies 1

Corequisites

• None.

Excluded Combination of Modules

• None.

Aims

• This course develops the approach of Historical Studies with a more explicit focus on developing (a) key issues in music from the early romantic period to the Second World War, (b) an understanding of the methods of historical musicology, (c) research skills and (d) awareness of key social, cultural and aesthetic issues in relation to music of the period. Students will acquire a deeper knowledge of key works while also developing a critical awareness of debates that continue to be important within the field. The course critically examines existing research in historical musicology, and in so doing allows students to build on core research skills developed at Level 1 in preparation for a major project at Level 3. Much of the work will be seminar based, to develop more detailed and research-based approach appropriate to Level 2.

Content

• The course comprises the following elements: 1. Close study of seminal works and their contexts of composition and reception, 2. Awareness of new approaches in historical musicology and critical aesthetics 3. Seminar-based discussion of key issues in twentieth-century music
• This module seeks:
• to encourage a research-based approach to key issues in Western music; between the early romantic period and the mid twentieth century.
• to enable students to develop and pursue specific and informed interests in the ensuing debates in the context of an historical, social and political framework for the period.
• to focus on the study of decisive aspects in the composition, performance, reception and aesthetics of the period, and to examine the range of debate in the scholarly literature.
• to engage with the world of ideas that has shaped the most influential musical developments and movements of the period.
• to provide students with the necessary tools to engage with musical, historical and aesthetic dimensions.
• to centre discussion around a limited number of seminal works.

Learning Outcomes

• Students will acquire a knowledge of
• seminal repertoire from the period
• the relationship of the repertoire to the contemporary cultural, social, and historical context.
• the dominant intellectual issues in relation to this repertoire.
• the principal stylistic trends in evidence.
• The course will also build on the basic research skills introduced at Level 1 in ways appropriate to research in historical musicology.

• Students will learn to apply appropriate methodologies from a broad range of critical standpoints: historical, political, cultural and philosophical.
• Research-related skills that are applicable across a wide range of musical topics and sub-disciplines .
• The ability to evaluate critically historical accounts of the period covered.

• The ability to identify and conceptualize the issues raised.
• The ability to situate ideas in a context and to engage in critically informed argument.
• The ability to use appropriate evaluative skills.

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

• The module consists of 19 lectures, 10 listening group sessions,6 seminars and two sets of individual 15-minute tutorials.
• The teaching takes place through weekly lectures, extended seminars, and termly tutorials and will be accompanied by directed reading and formative assignments (or other appropriate exercises).
• Some reading exercises or analytical exercises will form assignments for tutorials and seminars.
• This format is designed to ensure the active participation of students in the learning process, offering opportunities for discussion and the development of critical thinking.
• Formative exercises will assist students to master concepts and methodologies taught in lectures, and may form the basis of discussion in tutorials.
• The summatively assessed research project allows students to develop key research skills and gain experience of exploring a topic in depth. The end-of-year written examination assesses students' engagement with the module content in its entirety

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Summative Assessment

Formative Assessment:

Students will be asked to prepare outlines of their proposed research projects of approximately 1000 words, and will receive feedback in individual 15 minute tutorials. They will also be asked to prepare two short oral presentations (15 minutes) to be delivered at seminars over the course of the year.

■ 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