This module is an introductory guide to the study of music in its cultural contexts during the historical period 800 to 1800. Key examples of the principal genres of Western art music during these centuries will be discussed alongside an introduction to the traditions and histories of music in other geographical locations. In this way, students will begin to orientate themselves towards the disciplines of historical musicology and ethnomusicology as they are studied at university level. Topics covered briefly as part of this module will be offered in more depth in optional seminars available in the second and third years.
While the lectures for this module will concentrate on broader questions of musical culture, especially the characteristics of genres and their functions, in the associated seminars, students will work in more detail with short musical examples linked to the relevant week’s lecture. Students will thus learn to appreciate not only the place of music in a range of social, historical and cultural contexts, but also the variety of ways in which different kinds of music are constructed.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of the module students should be able to:
Demonstrate understanding of the place of music in a variety of social, historical and cultural contexts
Demonstrate understanding of the different means by which the wide variety of music studied in the module is constructed
Make use of academic methods and concepts fundamental to the understanding of music in both music-historical and ethnomusicological contexts
Show evidence of independent learning, reflective learning, critical thinking, and the ability to perform appropriate research tasks relating to issues in both historical musicology and ethnomusicology
Assessment
37490-01 : Essay : Coursework (50%)
37490-02 : 48hr Take Home Exam Paper - Locally Managed : Exam (School Arranged) - Written Unseen (50%)