Module MUSI3731: Words and Music

Department: Music

MUSI3731: Words and Music

Prerequisites

• A-Level Music

Corequisites

Excluded Combination of Modules

Aims

• To enhance understanding of the relationship between music and words.
• To enhance the ability of students to reflect conceptually on musical material, forms, and performances, especially in the treatment of text and in different types of vocal production.
• 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 explores the role of the human voice in a wide variety of musical traditions and genres, and of the role of words in musical expression. Topics covered, with the help of a published Reader on the topic which will serve as a key resource, will include the origins and relationship between speech and song and between instrumental music and oral mnemonics, identity and subjectivity, words and meaning in song, social and ritual functions of song, word setting, and narrative. Musical examples and case studies may include (but are not limited to) a variety of Western art and popular music (e.g. opera, Lied, country, rap), Indian and Middle Eastern art song, and a variety of ritual and context-specific forms (e.g. laments, wedding songs, healing songs, worship songs). Students will work on an original investigation of a piece or performance of music applying some of the perspectives taught in the course. Nb. This is not a practical course in singing.

Learning Outcomes

• Students will become familiar with a range of theories and analytical techniques, deriving from different academic traditions (especially musicology, ethnomusicology and philosophy), 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.

• The module will establish and embed theoretical understanding of music and vocality, while developing practical skills in analysing and commenting critically on a wide variety of music.
• 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