Module: MUS4102-20 Understanding Music 1A (Historical Contexts)

Level: 4

Credit Value: 20

Module Tutor: Matt Dicken

Module Tutor Contact Details: m.dicken@bathspa.ac.uk

1. Brief description and aims of module:

This module falls into three parts, which run concurrently: Western Musical Styles, Core Music Theory, and Research and Study Skills. Western Musical Styles presents an overview of selected significant composers and styles of western art music.

The module aims to:

• Explore repertoire across a range of periods and styles

• Foster a broad understanding of Western art music and its contexts.

• Introduce and develop essential academic skills, such as academic writing, paper presentation and research and analytical skills.

2. Outline syllabus:

Western Musical Styles introduces you to topics in Western art music providing a frame of reference together with analytical and critical skills for future musicological study.

Research and Study Skills is a series of lectures that are designed to introduce and develop research and library skills (particularly online resources), efficient and appropriate use of IT, academic written style, spoken presentation as well as analytical and critical skills.

Core Music Theory critically engages with fundamental elements of music in an exploratory programme which links to the practical music making that you will do in Performance 1A. Both the historical development and contextual considerations of the development of Western Music theory are considered providing you with a clear understanding of the building blocks of music in the modern era in relation to all styles and genres.

3. Teaching and learning activities:

• Weekly 2-hour Musical Styles lecture

• Research and Study Skills is a series of weekly one-hour lectures.

• Weekly one-hour Core Music Theory workshop

Assessment Item 1:

• Assessment Type: Course Work

• Description: Essay (2000 words)

• % Weighting: 50%

Assessment Item 2:

• Assessment Type: Course Work

• Description: Skills Portfolio (2000 words)

• % Weighting: 50%