MU1236: Music as Culture

School Cardiff School of Music
Department Code MUSIC
Module Code MU1236
External Subject Code 100070
Number of Credits 10
Level L4
Language of Delivery English
Module Leader Professor John O'Connell
Semester Spring Semester
Academic Year 2025/6

Outline Description of Module

This module is designed to provide an introductory overview of music and drama as it relates to ethnomusicology and musicology. The module is planned around a range case studies that look at music as drama both in ‘western’ and non-‘western’ contexts. Of significance, the module acknowledges the important role of popular music in both contexts. Of especial interest, the module intentionally breaks down disciplinary boundaries by looking at issues related to society and politics, language and cognition. It also showcases studies related to music theatre, music media and music scenes.   

On completion of the module a student should be able to

  • Distinguish between distinctive musical styles in different cultural contexts      

  • Examine the visual and the sonic characteristics of music-making in drama and the media, the issues of embodiment and communication being particularly foregrounded      

  • Show how theory is realised in practice especially with respect to the performance of music and the staging of drama      

  • Differentiate between different approaches to music studies especially in relation to ethnomusicology and musicology    

  • Ascertain the ways in which music can be considered to be a lifestyle and a ritual practice     

 

How the module will be delivered

Students will participate in a blend of learning that will take the form of seminars and pre-recorded videos. They will also be assigned listening tasks and video viewing. They will be expected to complete the required readings in advance of each lecture. In addition, students will be assigned a range of tasks to prepare for discussion in seminars. As is usual, students are encouraged to participate in relevant ensembles which are available in Music. 

Skills that will be practised and developed

In addition to the subject-specific skills outlined in the learning outcomes, this module develops the employability and lifelong-learning skills of cross-cultural awareness and effective written communication. In addition, students will learn how to present, analyse and interpretate a diverse range of cultural data. They will develop essential research skills (including referencing and citation). 

How the module will be assessed

The module will involve two summative assessments. Each assessment will be worth 50% of the total and each will be c. 1,200 words in length (or its equivalent). In this module, the mid-term assessments will involve a choice between two options.       

Title: Mid-term Assignment: choose 1 option: Essay or Audio-Visual Analysis 

Type of assessment: summative assessment 

Contribution: 50%  

Approx. date of assessment: week 8 (Spring)  

Title: Final Project 

Type of assessment: summative assessment 

Contribution: 50%  

Approx. date of assessment: May assessment period 

THE OPPORTUNITY FOR REASSESSMENT IN THIS MODULE: 

Opportunities for re-assessment is only permitted provided you have not failed more credit than in the resit rule adopted by your programme.  If the amount of credit you have failed is more than permitted by the relevant resit rule, you may be permitted to repeat study if you are within the threshold set for the Repeat rule adopted by your programme.  You will be notified of your eligibility to resit/repeat any modules after the Examining Board in the Summer period. 

All resit assessments will be held in the Resit Examination period, prior to the start of the following academic session. 

Assessment Breakdown

Type % Title Duration(hrs)
Written Assessment 50 Mid-Term Assignment N/A
Written Assessment 50 Final Project N/A

Syllabus content

This module is designed to introduce students to the theoretical concepts and practical applications of music as culture. Covering a semester, students will study contrasting case studies in the areas of music theatre, music media and music ritual. In addition, the module will feature an introductory lecture that concerns the definition of music as drama. Importantly, the module draws upon musical repertoires that are both ‘western’ and non-‘western’ and showcases musical contexts that are both ‘classical’ and popular.   

 

 


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