Module Catalogue 2024/25

MUS2054 : Music and Cultural Theory (Inactive)

MUS2054 : Music and Cultural Theory (Inactive)

  • Inactive for Year: 2024/25
  • Module Leader(s): Dr Paul Attinello
  • Lecturer: Professor Ian Biddle
  • Owning School: Arts & Cultures
  • Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
Semesters

Your programme is made up of credits, the total differs on programme to programme.

Semester 1 Credit Value: 10
Semester 2 Credit Value: 10
ECTS Credits: 10.0
European Credit Transfer System
Pre-requisite

Modules you must have done previously to study this module

Pre Requisite Comment

N/A

Co-Requisite

Modules you need to take at the same time

Co Requisite Comment

N/A

Aims

- To provide an introduction to basic concepts and approaches, and important debates in the cultural theory of music.
- To provide a solid foundation in the cultural theory of music for students intending to go on to (or already engaged in ) Masters-level courses which rely upon such knowledge.
- To investigate systematically a range of hermeneutic, text critical and theoretical approaches to music from recent music scholarship.

This module is intended to help you gain knowledge of a range of cultural-theoretical paradigms. These may vary from year to year, but would typically include: structuralist and poststructuralist theories, theories of authorship, other approaches to theorising identity, presence and subjectivity, theories of musical autonomy, modernism, mass and popular culture and their inter-relationships, Marxist theories of culture, ideology and hegemony, theories of power theories of cultural materialism and social semiotics.

Outline Of Syllabus

A series of lectures and seminars will cover a variety of topics, including: structuralist and poststructuralist theories, theories of authorship; other approaches to theorising; identity, presence and subjectivity; theories of musical autonomy; modernism; mass and popular culture and their inter-relationships; Marxist theories of culture, ideology and hegemony; theories of power; theories of cultural materialism and social semiotics.

Learning Outcomes

Intended Knowledge Outcomes

These include an awareness and understanding of: structuralist and poststructuralist theories; theories of authorship; other approaches to theorising identity; presence and subjectivity theories of musical autonomy; modernism; mass and popular culture and their inter-relationships; Marxist theories of culture; ideology and hegemony; theories of power; theories of cultural materialism and social semiotics
.

Intended Skill Outcomes

•       the ability to think critically and to apply that thinking to a number of different musical contexts
•       the ability to engage with challenging texts about music
•       the ability to formulate an argument and communicate your views and to contextualise those views in the broader intellectual history of the subject

Teaching Methods

Teaching Activities
Category Activity Number Length Student Hours Comment
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesLecture162:0032:00PIP or converted online if need be
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesSmall group teaching11:001:00Tutorial (PiP or converted to online if need be)
Guided Independent StudyIndependent study1167:00167:00N/A
Total200:00
Teaching Rationale And Relationship

Lectures and discussions act as a forum in which key concepts are introduced, explained and discussed. Sessions will often be based on texts which are set for close reading during your private study time. By this point in your programme it is assumed that you will have developed sufficient independent learning abilities to be able to use your study of these texts and their musical applications as the core of your learning for this module.

Reading Lists

Assessment Methods

The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners

Other Assessment
Description Semester When Set Percentage Comment
Portfolio2A20written assignments
Essay2A803,500 words
Assessment Rationale And Relationship

The portfolio and essay assess how well you have assimilated aspects of the course material, (ii) your ability to formulate a critical position on the material, and (iii) your ability to communicate this concisely.

Timetable

Past Exam Papers

General Notes

n/a

Welcome to Newcastle University Module Catalogue

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You may have some queries about the modules available to you. Your school office will be able to signpost you to someone who will support you with any queries.

Disclaimer

The information contained within the Module Catalogue relates to the 2024 academic year.

In accordance with University Terms and Conditions, the University makes all reasonable efforts to deliver the modules as described.

Modules may be amended on an annual basis to take account of changing staff expertise, developments in the discipline, the requirements of external bodies and partners, and student feedback. Module information for the 2025/26 entry will be published here in early-April 2025. Queries about information in the Module Catalogue should in the first instance be addressed to your School Office.