MUS20400 Early European Music

Academic Year 2020/2021

This module introduces students to the music of the Medieval, Renaissance and Baroque eras of European musical history. Students will examine seven key topics encompassing the development of music in each of the eras under consideration. In addition, students will be expected to prepare for lectures by completing the reading and listening tasks assigned each week and by familiarising themselves with the contents of the prescribed textbook. Lectures will focus on the following topics: the invention of notation; vernacular and non-liturgical song; the development of polyphony; institutions and patronage; imitative counterpoint; the invention of opera; the rise of instrumental music.

Folders containing preparatory reading and listening materials for each week will be available on Brightspace. The lectures on each topic will include opportunities for discussion based on the weekly reading and listening materials.

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Curricular information is subject to change

Learning Outcomes:

On completion of this module students should be able to:
- name and describe important composers, genres and styles of the period in question and discuss selected aesthetic dimensions of the music
- recognise, analyse and compare selected compositions in terms of their style and origin
- evaluate the relationship between music and its cultural and historical context
- discuss and explain key aspects of each topic in the light of contemporary musicological scholarship
- demonstrate a structured and coherent approach in written presentation skills
- consult and use a wide range of bibliographic sources

Indicative Module Content:

Medieval Music (c.750-1350):
-the invention of notation
- vernacular song and non-liturgical song
-the development of polyphony
Renaissance Music c.1350-1600):
-institutions and patronage
-imitative counterpoint
Baroque Music (c.1600-1750):
-the invention of opera
-the rise of instrumental music

Student Effort Hours: 
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

20
Specified Learning Activities

20
Autonomous Student Learning

60
Total

100
Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
Lectures supplemented by discussion based on the close reading of texts. 
Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 
Assessment Strategy  
Description Timing Open Book Exam Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade
Essay: 2,500 - 3,000 word essay. Week 12 n/a Graded No

25
Attendance: Attendance at lectures including preparation and participation. Throughout the Trimester n/a Graded No

20
Project: Small group project on an assigned topic leading to poster presentation in Brightspace. Varies over the Trimester n/a Graded No

30
Portfolio: Analysis and Listening. Students will listen to a number of representative musical works and will write a short assignment focusing on musical form and compositional techniques. Week 7 n/a Graded No

25

Carry forward of passed components
Yes
 
Remediation Type Remediation Timing
In-Module Resit Prior to relevant Programme Exam Board
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 
Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Not yet recorded.

Burkholder, Grout and Palisca, A History of Western Music, 10th edition (New York: W. W. Norton, 2019).
Burkholder and Palisca, Norton Anthology of Western Music. Vol. 1, Ancient to Baroque. 8th edition (New York: W. W. Norton, 2019).

A detailed reading list and a list of weekly reading assignments will be provided on Brightspace.