Course Details in 2026/27 Session

Module Title	LH The Broadway Musical from Show Boat to Sondheim
School	Lan, Cult, Art Hist & Music
Department	Music
Module Code	10 29015
Module Lead	Paul Rodmell
Level	Honours Level
Credits	20
Semester	Semester 1
Pre-requisites
Co-requisites
Restrictions	None
Contact Hours	Seminar-20 hours Guided independent study-180 hours Total: 200 hours
Exclusions
Description	This module comprises a survey of the musical theatre, placing the genre in its cultural context alongside close analytical study of scores and libretti. The works of composers and lyricists including Kern, Hammerstein, Gershwin, Rodgers, Hart, Porter, Bernstein and Sondheim will be examined. Although concentrating on American output of the 20th century, predecessors of the genre such as operetta and US theatre forms will also be considered.
Learning Outcomes	By the end of the module students should be able to: demonstrate a sophisticated and nuanced understanding of the development of the genre through the 20th century and its generic sources. demonstrate an ability to produce considered assessed work independently, employing appropriate resources demonstrate an ability independently to identify and employ literature and music in their assessed work. cite, and where appropriate, analyse, specific and suitable pieces of music as examples in support of their commentaries and evaluations.
Assessment	29015-01 : Essay 1 : Coursework (40%) 29015-02 : Essay 2/Powerpoint : Coursework (50%) 29015-03 : Weekly Reading Responses : Coursework (10%)
Assessment Methods & Exceptions	Assessments: 10% Weekly reading responses (500 words); 40% Essay 1 (2000 words); 50% Essay 2 (2500 words) OR PowerPoint presentation with recorded narration, up to 20 minutes in duration (plus audio and/or video examples as appropriate up to an additional 5 minutes). Reassessment: No resits are permitted in final year. If students miss the assessed task owing to extenuating circumstances, the failed task would be rescheduled at a later date.
Other
Reading List