SCREEN MUSIC STUDIES - 2023/4
Module code: MUS3084
Module Overview
The purpose of the module is to develop your knowledge of film music theory and scholarship as well as providing opportunities for suitably experienced students to enhance their practice in writing for the screen.
Module provider
Music & Media
Module Leader
BARHAM Jeremy (Music & Med)
Number of Credits: 15
ECTS Credits: 7.5
Framework: FHEQ Level 6
Module cap (Maximum number of students): N/A
Overall student workload
Independent Learning Hours: 97
Lecture Hours: 22
Tutorial Hours: 1
Guided Learning: 8
Captured Content: 22
Module Availability
Semester 2
Prerequisites / Co-requisites
None
Module content
Analytical, historical and critical aspects of the module will address selected issues as they impinge on the functions and analysis of screen music, such as the sound of silent film, surrealism, the notion of diegesis, science-fiction and horror genres, screen music and temporality, pre-existent music, visual music, jazz on screen, film form and narrative structures Selected repertoire may include silent film, early non-Hollywood sound film, Hollywood Golden Age (and later), Hitchcock, French New Wave, animation, documentary film, horror and sci-fi film, Bunuel, Eisenstein
Assessment pattern
| Assessment type | Unit of assessment | Weighting |
|---|---|---|
| Coursework | 800-WORD ANALYTICAL WRITTEN ASSIGNMENT | 25 |
| Coursework | 2500-WORD ESSAY OR 5-8 MINUTES OF SCREEN SCORING PLUS 1000-WORD CRITICAL COMMENTARY | 75 |
Alternative Assessment
N/A
Assessment Strategy
The assessment strategy is designed to provide students with the opportunity to explore and develop new, historical, theoretical, critical and aesthetic concepts and practical skills.
Participation in student-led discussions and the first (observational and analytical) assignment provide opportunities for formative assessment and feedback, and a stepping stone to the wider-ranging second assignment
Both assignments offer opportunity for (interim) and final summative assessment
Coursework 1 (25% of final grade): analysis of the music and sound of a chosen film extract, involving observation in the form of a detailed cue sheet, used as the basis for critical comment on the function, placing, frequency, and structure of the music cues in relation to image, scene construction and narrative content. (Learning outcomes 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7).
Coursework 2 (75% of final grade): EITHER an essay investigating a topic chosen from a list (for example a single film, composer, set of related films, idea or concept, historical, analytical, or aesthetic issue within screen music studies); OR a mini portfolio of screen scoring, plus critical commentary outlining the methods and aims of the creative work produced (Learning outcomes 1-7).
Module aims
- To address a range of historical, theoretical and technical aspects of screen (film/video/TV) media and associated musics.
Learning outcomes
| Attributes Developed | ||
| 002 | Demonstrate understanding and critical awareness of the historical development of screen media and associated musics. | KCT |
| 003 | Demonstrate awareness of various aspects of screen music theory and technique such as film form, film and culture, film interpretation and the role of music in film narrative. | KCT |
| 004 | (Optionally) develop theoretical and practical understanding of image-music synchronization through editing, synthesis, computer scoring, and screen score analysis. | KCPT |
| 005 | Demonstrate scholarly and practical skills commensurate with advanced undergraduate standards of research and scoring. | CPT |
| 006 | Undertake critical evaluation of current research and associated methodologies. | KCT |
| 007 | Demonstrate independent and self-critical learning. | CT |
| 001 |
Attributes Developed
C - Cognitive/analytical
K - Subject knowledge
T - Transferable skills
P - Professional/Practical skills
Methods of Teaching / Learning
The module comprises 11 2-hour lectures.The lecturer will introduce key general concepts and specific examples in an overview of the field of study and the critical literature. This will be complemented by tutorial support for the assignments.
Indicated Lecture Hours (which may also include seminars, tutorials, workshops and other contact time) are approximate and may include in-class tests where one or more of these are an assessment on the module. In-class tests are scheduled/organised separately to taught content and will be published on to student personal timetables, where they apply to taken modules, as soon as they are finalised by central administration. This will usually be after the initial publication of the teaching timetable for the relevant semester.
Reading list
https://readinglists.surrey.ac.uk
Upon accessing the reading list, please search for the module using the module code: MUS3084
Other information
N/A
Programmes this module appears in
| Programme | Semester | Classification | Qualifying conditions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Music BMus (Hons) | 2 | Optional | A weighted aggregate mark of 40% is required to pass the module |
| Music and Sound Recording (Tonmeister) BSc (Hons) | 2 | Optional | A weighted aggregate of 40% overall and a pass on the pass/fail unit of assessment is required to pass the module |
| Music and Sound Recording (Tonmeister) BMus (Hons) | 2 | Optional | A weighted aggregate of 40% overall and a pass on the pass/fail unit of assessment is required to pass the module |
Please note that the information detailed within this record is accurate at the time of publishing and may be subject to change. This record contains information for the most up to date version of the programme / module for the 2023/4 academic year.