2017/18 Undergraduate Module Catalogue
COMM2150 Music as Communication
20 creditsClass Size: 48
Module manager: David Hesmondhalgh
Email: d.j.hesmondhalgh@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable
Year running 2017/18
This module is not approved as a discovery module
Objectives
- To introduce students to theories, debates and histories concerning the role of music in everyday life and culture- To introduce students to ideas concerning the historical development of music as a form of communication, and how this has been affected by cultural, industrial, economic and technological factors
- To enable students to consider the potential role of music in enhancing people’s well-being and sense of community – and how it might at times be involved in hindering them
- To introduce students to theories of emotion and meaning in relation to music
Learning outcomes
By the end of this module, students should be able to:
1. Discuss music as a form of communication explaining how it differs from other forms of communication and how specific features vary across different societies and periods
2. Explain the concept of genre and apply it to the analysis of music as a form of communication
3. Explain how music is shaped by industrial, technological and cultural forces and how music production and consumption are linked to questions of social power
4. Critically reflect on their experience, values and ideas about music
Syllabus
Music as a form of communication that is widely felt to be emotional, private, communal, and connotative (rather than denotative); the power, beauty and banality of music; music and the self: how in different societies and in different periods, music is felt to be intensely personal, and what this means for our understanding of music – and ourselves; music, love and the politics of sex: its connections to sexual freedom; music and community: especially with regard to ethnic identity; who owns music? Music, ownership, commodity; music and genre: rock, pop, ‘black music’ and classical as contemporary meta-genres
Teaching methods
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
| Lecture | 11 | 2.00 | 22.00 |
| Seminar | 11 | 1.00 | 11.00 |
| Independent online learning hours | 90.00 | ||
| Private study hours | 88.00 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 33.00 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 211.00 | ||
Private study
Students will be required to read specific texts before each seminar and to prepare and rehearse a group presentation giving a critique of key themes and points raised in the readings (in week 8 or 9).In addition they are expected to read widely from the suggested reading list.
Opportunities for Formative Feedback
Assignment 1 provides the opportunity to assess student progress. Students will be asked to do presentations in seminars in about week 8 or 9 to show how their ideas for assignment 2 are developing.Methods of assessment
Coursework
| Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
| Report | 1 x Project report 2,000 - 2,500 words (not including appendices or transcripts) - see below | 50.00 |
| Essay | 1 x 2,500-3,000 words | 50.00 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) | 100.00 | |
The first assignment would be an essay (50 per cent) concerning the fundamental topics encountered in the first six weeks. The second assignment would be a case study of how one person’s experiences of music related to the ideas encountered on the module, based on historical study, interview or autobiography. Students are asked to submit a transcript if undertaking an interview, but this does not contribute to the word limit.
Reading list
The reading list is available from the Library websiteLast updated: 08/05/2017
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