MUS3088 : Music, Gender and Sexuality
MUS3088 : Music, Gender and Sexuality
- Offered for Year: 2026/27
- Module Leader(s): Professor Ian Biddle
- Lecturer: Ms Nancy Kerr Elliott, Professor Kirsten Gibson
- 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 2 Credit Value: | 20 |
| 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 explore critically the topic of gender and sexuality as expressed through a variety of musical repertories and practices (including “classical”, folk, popular and world musics).
To explore the place of men, women and other gendered actors in the formation of a range of music traditions.
Outline Of Syllabus
Through analysis of contemporary and archival recordings, scores, performances, texts, films and other media, this module will consider how gender relationships and forms of sexuality have been represented, changed or challenged by musical practices. A socio-historical approach is taken, asking how music reflects the attitudes, desires and environments of its performers. We will also consider current discussions surrounding gender and identity in the contemporary music-making communities. Key theoretical approaches will include feminism, queer theory, and so-called “intersectional” approaches to gender.
Learning Outcomes
Intended Knowledge Outcomes
By the end of this module, students will:
- Be able to think critically about gender and sexuality dynamics in a range of musical traditions.
- Be able to analyse and critique gender political and queer political processes in both historical and contemporary music traditions.
- Engage in gender-sensitive and/or queer-theoretical analysis of music (including musical performances, musical “texts” or other medialisations of music).
Intended Skill Outcomes
Students will be able to
- Contextualise and examine gender- and sexuality-related concerns and topics in music
- To think critically about gender designations and the consequent ideological and political processes that sustain and/or undermine those designations in musical case studies of your own
-To think critically also about some of the ways in which sexuality shapes (and is shaped by) music in case studies of your own
Teaching Methods
Teaching Activities
| Category | Activity | Number | Length | Student Hours | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Lecture | 11 | 2:00 | 22:00 | Themed lectures |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Small group teaching | 11 | 1:00 | 11:00 | Present in Person seminars with associated preparatory tasks |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Workshops | 1 | 4:00 | 4:00 | Oral presentation |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Drop-in/surgery | 2 | 2:00 | 4:00 | Online drop-in tutorial surgeries |
| Guided Independent Study | Independent study | 159 | 1:00 | 159:00 | N/A |
| Total | 200:00 |
Teaching Rationale And Relationship
Lecture materials will introduce key concepts and topics, developing students’ critical thinking and an awareness of critical literature and themes surrounding the topics. Group seminars and workshops/presentations will provide a forum for students to discuss readings and engage critically with the lecture themes and course materials. Tutorials give the opportunity for 1:1 formative feedback and guidance on assessments.
Reading Lists
Assessment Methods
The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners
Other Assessment
| Description | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oral Examination | 2 | M | 25 | A sway presentation (circa 5-10 slides) based on a topic you have found interesting in the module. |
| Essay | 2 | A | 75 | An essay (3000 words) on a brief chosen by the student relating to one or more lecture themes. |
Assessment Rationale And Relationship
An individual presentation will enable students to engage with and explore key critical concepts and issues in this area of study. This will give students the opportunity to further investigate specific aspects of the taught materials, and to articulate and present their ideas in a performative and oral context.
The Essay will assess academic research and writing skills based on self-selected module topics.
Students will be offered formative feedback in the form of 1:1 tutorials throughout the semester, and they will also be offered individual essay tutorials to support devising their own brief for their final essay.
Timetable
- Timetable Website: www.ncl.ac.uk/timetable/
- MUS3088's Timetable
Past Exam Papers
- Exam Papers Online : www.ncl.ac.uk/exam.papers/
- MUS3088's past Exam Papers
General Notes
N/A
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Disclaimer
The information contained within the Module Catalogue relates to the 2026 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, staffing changes, and student feedback. Module information for the 2027/28 entry will be published here in early-April 2027. Queries about information in the Module Catalogue should in the first instance be addressed to your School Office.