Durham University
Programme and Module Handbook

Undergraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2016-2017 (archived)

Module MUSI3601: The Music of India

Department: Music

MUSI3601: The Music of India

Type Open Level 3 Credits 20 Availability Available in 2016/17 Module Cap Location Durham

Prerequisites

  • MUSI1251 Introduction to Ethnomusicology

Corequisites

  • None.

Excluded Combination of Modules

  • None.

Aims

  • Facilitate detailed investigation of Indian musical genres and forms, their social and cultural context, and South Asian music scholarship;
  • enhance students' listening, analytical, and critical skills;
  • afford students an opportunity to reflect on wider ethnomusicological issues as applied to South Asian music scholarship.

Content

  • The module will explore different genres of Indian music, as practiced both in India and in the rest of the world. Repertoires studied will include classical, folk, devotional, popular and Bollywood music.
  • Topics to be covered include:
  • aesthetic and technical concepts (e.g. raga, tala);
  • social and cultural contexts; and
  • notation, transcription and performance analysis.

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:
  • Students will become familiar with a range of theoretical and analytical tools appropriate to the study of Indian music.
Subject-specific Skills:
  • The module will further develop practical skills in transcribing, analysing, and commenting critically on a range of Indian musics and South Asian scholarship.
Key Skills:
  • Students will achieve competence in applying the skills and knowledge gained through a series of written and oral assignments.

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

  • The module will be taught through lectures, seminars and tutorials. The combination of lectures, tutorials and practical exercises (transcription) instils and reinforces the awareness of relevant issues and methodologies. This format is designed to ensure active participation of students in the learning process. The assessments address creative, practical, and critical modes of engagement, making students develop original research questions as well as analytical skills.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Activity Number Frequency Duration Total/Hours
Lectures 10 Weekly during term 1 2 hours 20
Seminars/Tutorials 8 Weekly during term 1 1 hour 8
Preparation and Reading 172
TOTAL 200

Summative Assessment

Component: Transcription Component Weighting: 60%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
A music transcription accompanied by a 2,500-word analysis/essay 2,500 words 100% No
Component: Essay Component Weighting: 40%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
A 2,500 word essay/analysis of a piece of music or videoclip. 2,500 words 100% No

Formative Assessment:

Students will be asked to prepare: 1) short oral and/or written presentations on particular topics; 2) short transcriptions, which will lead to the preparation of the summative assessment. Feedback will be given during tutorials.


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