Course Details in 2025/26 Session

Module Title	LH Film Music Techniques and History
School	Lan, Cult, Art Hist & Music
Department	Music
Module Code	09 30260
Module Lead	Ben Curry
Level	Honours Level
Credits	20
Semester	Semester 1
Pre-requisites
Co-requisites
Restrictions	None
Contact Hours	Seminar-10 hours Practical Classes and workshops-10 hours Guided independent study-180 hours Total: 200 hours
Exclusions
Description	This module will introduce students to both the history of film music and key stylistic tendencies in scoring film. The historical strand of the course will focus upon the practices of composers working in the mainstream (i.e. Hollywood) tradition. Broad tendencies in film scoring will be identified within a chronological framework. Key historical moments to be discussed will include the silent era, the golden age of Hollywood, the rise of pop and jazz scoring and the new symphonicism. Work on the history of film will be underpinned by analytical case studies and this will link with a series of exercises concerning film music styles. Through these exercises students will develop a grasp of textural, melodic and harmonic devices commonly found in recent film music thereby fostering useful practical skills and a more detailed understanding of stylistic tendencies in the composition of music for picture.
Learning Outcomes	By the end of the module students should be able to: Demonstrate a sophisticated and nuanced understanding of the development of film music with reference to key stylistic and/or contextual factors. Critically analyse diverse cinematic styles with particular and detailed reference to textural, melodic and harmonic features. Practically and creatively engage a broad range of textural, melodic and harmonic techniques found in film music. Convey their ideas and the results of their research both in writing and in practical exercises.
Assessment	30260-01 : Essay : Coursework (50%) 30260-02 : Portfolio : Log Book/ Portfolio (50%)
Assessment Methods & Exceptions	Assessments: 50% Essay (2000 words) 50% Portfolio of practical exercises concerning film music techniques (2000 word equivalent) Reassessment: N/a (final year module)
Other
Reading List