Module Catalogue 2025/26

Pre Requisite Comment

None

Co Requisite Comment

None

Aims

- To provide an overview of the vocal and instrumental traditions of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales
- To widen the student’s repertoire to include material from areas they might previously have not known
- To demonstrate the strength of traditional material from all these traditions
- To introduce students to some of the conventions and disciplines of folk music studies and university undergraduate work

The course provides an overview of the vocal and instrumental traditions of England, Scotland, Ireland, Wales including their diasporas and seeks to establish a base-line knowledge, with particular reference both to stylistic divergence and the overlap and evolution of repertoire between communities. The module should help students to articulate the differences and common strands found within the traditions of these islands, and to develop their own understanding of what constitutes a “tradition” . It will also provide an introduction to some of the conventions and disciplines of folk music studies.

Outline Of Syllabus

This module offers a broad-based introduction to the study of musical traditions of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales and will focus on:
- Significant and essential foundation knowledge for folk music studies
- Technical understanding (for example ornamentation and tune types)
- The roles of orality and literacy in traditional music
- Musical instruments and instrumental genres and styles
- Song genres (for example ballads, ceremonial music and love songs) and singing styles
- Regionality and diversity in musical traditions

Intended Knowledge Outcomes

By the end of the module students will have knowledge of all the vocal and instrumental traditions of these islands with particular reference both to stylistic divergence and the overlap and evolution of repertoire between communities.

Intended Skill Outcomes

By the end of the module students will be able to articulate the features which define common strands found within the traditions of these islands and those elements which make traditions distinct.

Teaching Rationale And Relationship

A mixture of Present in Person and Online asynchronous lectures are given by a team of staff members. Present in Person seminars given in conjunction with occasional asynchronous lecture materials give students the opportunity to enrich the contents of lectures and to ask the lecturer questions around the previous lecture content. The seminars may also have an applied element such as tune and song learning, or dancing. Much of your learning for this course lies in your private study, which involves listening and reading to build a thorough knowledge of the traditions of these islands and how they sit in relation to the rest of Europe and beyond.

Assessment Rationale And Relationship

The final summative essay chosen from a selection of set questions will establish the concept of academic engagement with key ideas and the listening test will engage the student with stylistic elements contained within regional styles within the aural tradition.

General Notes

N/A