ENCOUNTERING MUSIC HISTORY - 2024/5

Module Overview

The purpose of this module is to introduce students to aspects of the Western classical and popular music repertoires, increasing levels of cultural awareness, and to develop transferable skills.

The module provides a foundation for Topic Studies 1A and B and historically based work at FHEQ 5 and 6.

Module provider

Music and Media

Module Leader

BARHAM Jeremy (Music & Med)

Number of Credits: 15

ECTS Credits: 7.5

Framework: FHEQ Level 4

Module cap (Maximum number of students): N/A

Module Availability

Semester 1

Prerequisites / Co-requisites

None

Module content

Indicative content includes:

• Concepts of music historiography; its purpose and function in relation to Western classical and popular repertories.


• Constructing and de-constructing canons, classical and popular.


• Introduction to the critical study of historical ‘periods’ in Western classical music


• Exploration of popular music history and approaches to understanding


• Exploration of socio-cultural issues impinging on the music repertoire discussed

Assessment pattern

Alternative Assessment

None

Assessment Strategy

The assessment strategy is designed to provide students with the opportunity to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the issues surrounding music historiography and music history through engagement with appropriate secondary texts and selections of the Western classical and popular repertories. The assessment addresses all the module learning outcomes.

The summative assessment:

• The coursework essay with a maximum length of 3000 words


• The exam provides an opportunity to demonstrate skills in a controlled environment, thus encouraging the ability to process ideas and information in a time-limited context (thus utilizing skills much needed in the workplace)

Formative assessment

Discussion in tutorials and in class, supports students in the development of their skills in the coursework and exam summative assessments

Feedback

Timely written feedback will be provided for the summative assessments, providing opportunity for self-reflection, and for formulating strategies for future personal and academic development

Verbal feedback can also be provided in a tutorial context at the students' request

Module aims

• - Introduce students to approaches to the historical and technical understanding of music from Western classical and popular traditions, as well as socio-cultural issues that impinge on this repertoire
• - Develop students resourcefulness in skills of learning, research and writing (including advanced use of digital sources) that underpin the above
• - Strengthen students cultural awareness and capabilities through engaging in a scholarly context with the range of topics addressed in the module
• - Extend students' professional and academic skillset within the topic areas in order to enhance post-degree employability

Learning outcomes

Methods of Teaching / Learning

The learning and teaching strategy is designed to:

Develop understanding of the role of historiography in the contemporary study of music, and to develop the ability to employ this understanding to engage critically with areas of the Western classical and popular repertories. This will involve directed reading and listening, class discussion, and the formation of critical responses to secondary literature used in the coursework essay. The strategy will also introduce techniques and styles of academic writing and analysis that are critical to student success in FHEQ levels 5 and 6. 

The learning and teaching methods include:

• Lectures, incorporating listening and class discussions as appropriate 


• Tutorials (either individual or small-group)


• Guided reading and listening


• Individual research


• Use of SurreyLearn

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: MUS1031

Other information

The Department of Music and Media is committed to developing graduates with attributes encompassing employability, digital skills, global and culture awareness, sustainability as it relates to music and the wider arts and, finally, resourcefulness and resilience.

This module provides opportunities to engage with these attributes in myriad ways including:

Resourcefulness and resilience:

Resourcefulness in developing skills of learning, research and writing (including advanced use of digital sources)

Cultural and global capabilities:

Cultural awareness and capabilities through engaging in a scholarly context with the range of topics addressed in the module.

Employability:

Professional and academic skillset within the topic areas in order to enhance post-degree employability.

Programmes this module appears in

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 2024/5 academic year.