Module MUSI3631: Time and Rhythm

Department: Music

MUSI3631: Time and Rhythm

Prerequisites

• A-Level Music or equivalent

Corequisites

• None

Excluded Combination of Modules

• None

Aims

• To enhance technical understanding of music, and analytical skills.
• To enhance the ability of students to reflect conceptually on musical material, forms, and performances.
• To develop the ability of students to compare musical techniques and principles between different traditions and genres.
• To develop the ability of students to pursue their own independent research projects within the framework of existing theories in the area.

Content

• This course will comprise an exploration of theoretical and analytical approaches to musical time and rhythm. Topics covered will include movement and embodiment, perception and cognition of rhythm, metrical theory and practice in diverse traditions, and critical reading of writing about rhythm (including its metaphorical and ideological dimensions. Musical examples and case studies may include (but are not limited to) a variety of Western art and popular music, Indian tala and African polyrhythm. Students will work on an original investigation applying some of the perspectives taught in the course.

Learning Outcomes

• Students will become familiar with a range of theories and analytical techniques, deriving from different academic traditions (e.g. music theory and analysis, ethnomusicology, and music psychology), and including basic knowledge of appropriate software, appropriate to a wide range of musical styles.

• Students will achieve a basic competence in applying these skills practically through a series of formative exercises.

• Students will be able to plan and implement a research project, applying approaches introduced in the module to a novel example, combining their own investigations with the ability to give and reflect on peer feedback.
• Students will be able to plan, record and upload a video presentation

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

• Core teaching will be delivered online in a sequence of 10 topics structuring work in two-week chunks. Teaching materials will comprise a mixture of content delivery (e.g. through recorded lectures) and directed student activities, including sharing ideas and materials on blogs or discussion boards. Small group seminars, taking place online, provide a forum for synchronous discussion.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Summative Assessment

Formative Assessment:

Students will be asked to prepare three formative assessment submissions, each related to a subsequent summative submission. These will include written reports and recorded presentations (using university-supplied software). Feedback will be given by the tutor and by peers.

■ 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