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2019/20 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

MUSS1824 Film Music: From Text to Interpretation

20 creditsClass Size: 40

Module manager: Dr Dave Ireland
Email: music@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan), Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable

Year running 2019/20

This module is approved as a discovery module

Module summary

This module offers an introduction to the history of film scoring from the silent era through to the present, making reference to the interrelationship of aesthetics, technology and economics in this history.The function of music in a multimedia context will be discussed and students will be introduced to basic analytical techniques which can be used to interpret the role of music in films.

Objectives

After completing this module students will be able to:
- recognise the history of film soundtracks from the silent era through to the present in relation to the socio-cultural context of film production;
- consider the impact of economic and technological factors upon aesthetic decisions pertaining to cinema soundtracks;
- recognise the contributions of a range of film composers;
- understand and engage with theoretical debates in the history of film music study at an introductory level;
- analyse sequences from individual film soundtracks (making reference to the above).

Learning outcomes
On successful completion of this module, students will be able to:

1. analyse the contribution of music within individual film sequences
2. recognise attitudes towards the role of music within films of various genres throughout different periods of cinematic history
3. recognise the impact of historical and societal context on the production of film, and on the role of music within film, throughout different periods of cinematic history
4. understand / engage with the contributions of film music theorists and apply their ideas to individual film sequences


Syllabus

This module offers an introduction to the history of film scoring from the silent era through to the present, making reference to the interrelationship of aesthetics, technology and economics in this history.

The function of music in a multimedia context will be discussed and students will be introduced to basic analytical techniques which can be used to interpret the role of music in films, television and other audio-visual contexts.

Teaching methods

Delivery typeNumberLength hoursStudent hours
Class tests, exams and assessment11.251.25
Lecture92.0018.00
Tutorial10.250.25
Private study hours180.50
Total Contact hours19.50
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)200.00

Private study

4 hours viewing & 7 hours reading preparation per lecture (x 10): 110 hours;
Exam revision: 40.5 hours;
Preparation of essay submissions: 30 hours;

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Exam results, reflecting students’ performance on questions about film music theory and history, to be returned mid-term
Tutorial time will be available towards the end of the course to support the writing of the essay and will provide formative feedback on students’ choices of film sequences and their ideas for the essay thus far.

Methods of assessment


Coursework
Assessment typeNotes% of formal assessment
Essay2250-2750 word essay60.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)60.00

Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated


Exams
Exam typeExam duration% of formal assessment
Online MCQ1 hr 15 mins40.00
Total percentage (Assessment Exams)40.00

The exam will involve MCQs about the weekly course content. It will contain 72 MCQs in two sections. The first section of the exam will assess knowledge of the course content and will contain 48 questions. The second section will contain 24 MCQs on extracts from 2 of the course set readings, which the students will be given in the exam. The exam will be held in the class session in Wk 8 and be invigilated by the module tutor. It will be 1hr 15 in duration.

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 30/04/2019

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