Exploring Music 2

Learning Outcomes

Knowledge and Understanding

Having successfully completed this module, you will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:

• basic principles of writing about music and music history
• some of the principal forms, techniques and styles of European art music from the period 1750-1900, and issues relating to music in this period

Subject Specific Intellectual and Research Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• describe the principal characteristics of genres such as the symphony, string quartet, solo sonata, song, and opera in this period
• demonstrate aural recognition of important styles of the period
• perform a basic style analysis of an unfamiliar piece of music from this period and communicate your findings in accurate descriptive prose

Transferable and Generic Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• use internet tools such as Blackboard to manage aspects of your own learning
• use word processing software to produce your work to an appropriate academic standard

Reinforcing and developing the skills developed, this module aims to introduce you to some of the major musical forms, techniques and styles cultivated between 1750 and 1900. During the module you will develop your knowledge and understanding of ‘Classical’ and ‘Romantic’ musical styles and genres while offering further opportunities to practice and develop your academic writing skills. Lectures provide ‘snapshots’ of major genres of the period, such as the symphony, string quartet, concerto, solo sonata, song, and opera while follow-up seminars offer opportunities to have a detailed look at individual pieces of music and to practice invaluable related analytical or writing skills in small, focused groups.

Your knowledge and understanding of ‘Classical’ and ‘Romantic’ musical styles and genres will be developed through familiarity with the course recordings and scores, and subsequent discussion of their important features. Your listening skills will be enhanced by studying the core repertory of recordings, and will be assessed (informally) through practice quizzes in seminars, and (formally) through the listening examination.

Your writing and analytical skills will be developed and assessed (informally) through practical exercises in seminars and in your own study and (formally) through the written assignments.

Teaching and learning methods

Teaching methods include

• lectures
• small group work
• IT work using Blackboard

Learning activities include

• group work exercises (in lectures and tutorials)
• individual study and listening
• accessing and interacting with online resources

Resources & Reading list

Textbooks

Trevor Herbert (2001). Music in Words: A Guide to Researching and Writing about Music. London: The Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music.

Donald J. Grout and Claude Palisca. A History of Western Music.

Assessment strategy

Assessments designed to provide informal, on-module feedback

• practice exam questions distributed through Blackboard
• online group discussions via Blackboard
• peer assessment through group work activities

Summative

This is how we’ll formally assess what you have learned in this module.

Referral

This is how we’ll assess you if you don’t meet the criteria to pass this module.

Repeat

An internal repeat is where you take all of your modules again, including any you passed. An external repeat is where you only re-take the modules you failed.

Repeat Information

Repeat type: Internal & External