2017/18 Undergraduate Module Catalogue
MUSS1820 Musical Encounters
20 creditsClass Size: 30
Module manager: Dr Emily Payne
Email: music@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable
Year running 2017/18
Pre-requisite qualifications
This interdisciplinary module is open as a first year elective to students from any programme across the university with the exception of music students (including those on joint honours programmes). It will not assume prior knowledge in any specific discipline.This module is approved as a discovery module
Module summary
This module is suitable for anyone who is interested in the role of music in everyday life. It covers key aspects of people's engagement with music, including musical preferences (reasons for liking/disliking musical styles), listening behaviours (differences in uses of music), performing and composing (whether one has to be musically trained to be considered 'musical', and factors influencing the development of musical skill), and motivations for and experiences of attending various musical events (eg concerts, music festivals, night clubs).The module is interdisciplinary, drawing on perspectives such as music, psychology, sociology and philosophy. However no prior knowledge of any specific discipline is necessary, nor is the ability to read music or play an instrument. The module takes the form of 10 2hr lectures, each with key readings. Students will develop an understanding of the approaches that have been adopted to explore musical behaviour, and an ability to engage in current debates in the research literature. Assessment takes the form of an essay (50% weighting) and an unseen examination (50%). The former can be on a subject chosen by the student themselves (but relating to a topic in one of the lectures). The exam will take the format of MCQ and tap into understanding gained from lectures and key readings.Objectives
This module aims to develop students' understanding of the role of music in everyday life. Music is ubiquitous in all human societies and students will learn about how and why people engage with music, what shapes enjoyment of and preference for different musical styles; factors influencing the development of musical ability (eg listening, performing, composing), and how people experience music in a variety of contexts (eg nightclubs, festivals).Each week a major area of investigation will be introduced (as in syllabus below) which will prepare students for writing an essay on a topic of their choice, and prepare them for their exam (MCQ which will test knowledge of lecture content and key readings).
The module is interdisciplinary, and will draw on a range of perspectives including music, psychology, sociology and philosophy. However, no prior knowledge in a particular discipline is necessary, nor is the ability to play an instrument or read music.
Learning outcomes
Students will develop:
- Awareness of the wide range of different approaches that have been used to study music in everyday life.
- Knowledge of research studies which seek to explain musical behaviour.
- Ability to critically evaluate research findings and assess their contribution to understanding.
- Comprehensive skills in locating, summarising and reviewing primary source material.
Syllabus
Indicative syllabus
In a series of 10 lectures, students will address the following questions:
1. What does music mean to you? (different levels of engagement with music)
2. What music do you like? (mapping musical preferences and taste)
3. In what ways do you use music? (exploring psychological functions/uses of music)
4. How has technology shaped your listening behaviour? (iPod culture, mobile listening)
5. Does music affect your emotions? (evidence for the role of music in health and well-being)
6. Are we born with musical skills or are they learnt? (the nature/nurture debate)
7. What makes an accomplished musical performer? (developing musical expertise)
8. Do you have to be creative to compose music? (classical, contemporary, electronic)
9. Mad for clubbing? (the history of dance music, DJs, club and rave culture)
10. Why do people attend music festivals? (motivations for and experiences of attending festivals).
Teaching methods
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
| Lecture | 10 | 2.00 | 20.00 |
| Private study hours | 180.00 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 20.00 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 200.00 | ||
Private study
- 60 hours reading (20 key readings, 2 per lecture)- 60 hours for essay (locating, reading and critiquing literature on chosen topic)
- 58 hours for MCQ exam preparation (revising lecture content and key readings).
Opportunities for Formative Feedback
- Students attend a compulsory 2 hour lecture every week for 10 weeks, and there will be key reading(s) for each lecture which students are expected to do in their own time (as part of private/independent learning).- The MCQ exam will be in January exam period, is weighted at 50%, and will be based on the content of the lectures and key readings.
- During the course of the 10 weeks, students will also be asked to write an essay (3,000 words) on a subject of their own choice (but related to a topic within the lecture series).
- The topic will be chosen in conjunction with the module coordinator and require the student to locate, summarise and critique recent research literature pertaining to their topic.
- Students must pass both assessments to pass the module.
Methods of assessment
Coursework
| Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
| Essay | 1350-1650 words | 50.00 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) | 50.00 | |
Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated
Exams
| Exam type | Exam duration | % of formal assessment |
| Online MCQ | 2 hr 00 mins | 50.00 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Exams) | 50.00 | |
Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated
Reading list
The reading list is available from the Library websiteLast updated: 10/08/2017
Browse Other Catalogues
- Undergraduate module catalogue
- Taught Postgraduate module catalogue
- Undergraduate programme catalogue
- Taught Postgraduate programme catalogue
Errors, omissions, failed links etc should be notified to the Catalogue Team.PROD