MUS8017 : Practical Elective in Music (20 credits)
- Offered for Year: 2025/26
- Module Leader(s): Dr Christopher Tarrant
- Co-Module Leader: Dr Rob Mackay, Ms Imogen Gunner, Dr William Edmondes, Dr Bennett Hogg, Dr Mariam Rezaei, Professor Catriona Macdonald, Dr Larry Zazzo, Ms Nancy Kerr Elliott, Professor David Clarke
- 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 | |
Aims
This module aims to provide a platform for Postgraduate students in SACS to choose a single specialist musical practice from practical projects across a range of different fields. This may include Indian Classical Music, Free Improvisation, Composing Folk Music, and others offered on a year-by-year basis. Students will be advised about which topics are running in any academic year during the registration period.
Outline Of Syllabus
Students will meet throughout the year for scheduled workshops with key creative practice staff and occasional visiting experts. Students will have chosen one specialist field of practical study during the registration period each academic year. Topics on offer may include Indian Classical Music (beginners or intermediate), Free Improvisation, Baroque Opera, Contemporary Opera, and Folk Composition or other specialist fields.
Syllabus includes scheduled workshop/seminars with key staff in the delivery of the particular specialist fields on offer in any academic year.
Teaching Methods
Teaching Activities
| Category | Activity | Number | Length | Student Hours | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Guided Independent Study | Skills practice | 140 | 1:00 | 140:00 | N/A |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Small group teaching | 10 | 1:00 | 10:00 | N/A |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Workshops | 10 | 1:00 | 10:00 | N/A |
| Guided Independent Study | Independent study | 40 | 1:00 | 40:00 | N/A |
| Total | 200:00 |
Teaching Rationale And Relationship
The balance between contact and non-contact time may be slightly different for different musical practices. The teaching methods noted above are indicative of the minimum contact time. Specific differences where greater contact time is involved will be negotiated between the student and the project leader depending upon the specific requirements of the musical practice involved.
The module depends upon workshops and tutorials with specialist staff and substantial independent study and practice, which combine to provide a supportive and expert environment for practice research in music.
Guided Independent Study: to facilitate intended knowledge outcomes, improve creative skills substantially, and to develop both cognitive and key skills (e.g., technique, reflection, independent learning techniques, self-motivation, time-management) by providing a structured task for the student to complete independently.
Assessment Methods
The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners
Other Assessment
| Description | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Portfolio | 2 | A | 100 | Portfolio may include compositions, installations, performances, and video depending upon the musical practice involved. |
Assessment Rationale And Relationship
Assessment will be made in line with the following guidelines:
- The quality of the creative practice vis-à-vis the expected standard at postgraduate research in music and amongst the professional community of practice in the particular genre(s) of music/sound art.
- The quality of the communication of the research process demonstrated in the performance and the written or multimedia presentation detailing the practice research process.
- The ability to present the narrative of creative practice will be assessed in the written or multimedia portfolio.
Reading Lists
Timetable
- Timetable Website: www.ncl.ac.uk/timetable/
- MUS8017's Timetable