2024/25 Taught Postgraduate Module Catalogue

PECI5223M The Popular Music Industries since c.1857

30 creditsClass Size: 15

Module manager: Patrick Glen
Email: P.Glen@Leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) View Timetable

Year running 2024/25

This module is not approved as an Elective

Module summary

This module explores the global popular music industries since c.1857 to today. We will consider how, why and when the popular music industries emerged. Then we will follow key changes (excuse the pun), controversies and trends—in creative practice, production, distribution and consumption—through time to understand today’s popular music industries better. Doing so, will bring into question the popular music industries’ social, cultural political and economic roles and significance in different cultures and contexts.

Objectives

This module analyses and explores the ‘music industries’ from the invention of recorded sound to today. The term ‘music industries’ refers to any field ‘primarily concerned with the creation, management and selling of music, either as a physical/digital product, a performance, or as a bundle of intellectual property rights’ (Williamson and Cloonan, 2007, p. 305).
By exploring a range of case studies in lectures and seminars, students will develop an historical understanding of the popular music industries worldwide and acquire a deep understanding of the forces and trajectories that made today’s music industry. Using this knowledge, they will reflect on what makes the popular music industries different and similar to other cultural and creative industries.
Each week in lectures and seminars, we explore a case study on an aspect of the global music industries. We begin with the music industries emergence and proceed to investigate its successes and failures, any profound changes or continuities, and moments of controversy. At its core, this includes an analysis of the historical forces that shaped the growth and characteristics of the recorded music industry, licensing and publishing industry, artist management, and the live music industry. However, the module also analyses questions of creative practice, the role of artistes in society, and their ability to make a living and, indeed, the identities, viewpoints and practices of audiences. Indeed, students will question—using the tools of cross and intercultural analysis—what global means in the context of music production/consumption.
Students will be supported to develop an independent inquisitive approach. They will build and apply their research skills to find and interpret primary sources to shed light on each weekly case study. They will closely analyse industry and market research reports, physical releases of music, songs, sources from in the music press, streaming platforms, etc.

Learning outcomes
On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following learning outcomes relevant to the subject:
1. Analyse the popular music industries in relation to society and culture, the cultural and creative industries, and creative practice.
2. Assess the sectors and functions of the music industries and the relationships between the popular music industries, policy-makers, cultural organisations and creative entrepreneurs.
3. Demonstrate critical understandings of theories, concepts and debates relevant to the study of the global popular music industries.
4. Critically assess the social, cultural, economic and political forces that shape(d) popular music and the popular music industries around the world both in the present and historically.

Skills Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following skills learning outcomes:
5. Demonstrate critical thinking through the ability to weigh up different arguments and perspectives, using supporting evidence to form opinions, arguments, theories and ideas.
6. Demonstrate information, data and media literacies by showing the ability to find, evaluate, organise and share information across a variety of formats and media, ensuring the reliability and integrity both of the sources that you use and of the ideas that they help you to generate.

Syllabus

Details of the syllabus will be provided on the Minerva organisation (or equivalent) for the module

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Supervision	2	0.33	0.66
Lecture	9	1.00	9.00
Seminar	9	1.50	13.50
Private study hours			276.80
Total Contact hours			23.16
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			299.96

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

This will be delivered through tutorials prior to each assignment submission.

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Assignment	15 min presentation in groups of 4-5	30.00
Assignment	3-4,000 word essay	70.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)		100.00

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 website

Last updated: 26/09/2024

Disclaimer

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