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Programme code | 1MUSI008U |
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Programme type | Joint Honours (UG) |
Programme director(s) |
Emma Hornby (Music)
Connor Doak (Russian) |
Faculty | Faculty of Arts |
School/department | Department of Music |
Second School/department | Department of Russian |
Teaching institution | University of Bristol |
Awarding institution | University of Bristol |
Relevant QAA subject benchmark groups |
Music (2019) (benchmark statement)
Languages, Cultures and Societies (2023) (benchmark statement) |
Mode of study | Full Time |
Programme length | 4 years (full time) |
Music
The programme aims to give a wide understanding of the European musical tradition from medieval times to the present day.
The programme provides an intellectual training through study of the historical, technical, analytical, compositional and performance aspects of music, examines contemporary cultural and social settings for music and provides opportunities for the acquisition of a broad range of intellectual, critical and creative skills in preparation for:
a career in the musical professions (including performance)
employment in a wide range of other musical and non-musical contexts
further study at postgraduate level.
Russian
The programme offers students the opportunity to study Russian language in the context of courses exploring aspects of Russia's rich and varied culture from the 18th century to the present day. The programme covers the following aspects of Slavonic Studies: Russian language; Russian literature and culture; elements of Russian history; and, optionally, Czech language and literature. Students are introduced to a linguistic and cultural tradition, spanning some of Europe's most important writers, literary developments and ideological trends, against the unique background of Russia's often turbulent socio-political circumstances. As a relatively rare skill, fluency in the Russian language, together with detailed knowledge and appreciation of Russian culture and customs, is in demand among a wide range of employers.
Programme Intended Learning Outcomes | Learning and Teaching Methods |
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Acquisition of knowledge through lectures, seminars, tutorials and directed reading with emphasis, where appropriate, on primary materials and their interpretation. Independent learning is pursued through written coursework, supervised research projects and individual practice/rehearsal, as appropriate, for Performance units. |
Methods of Assessment | |
Examination (Level C/4 'Historical Studies'; Level I/5 'Approaches to Music History I' & Approaches to Music History II'; Level I/5 & H/6 split-level music-history options Coursework (Level C/4 'Historical Studies'; Level C/4 'Technical Studies I' & 'Technical Studies II'; Level C/4 'Practical Studies: Instrumentation and Conducting' (instrumentation coursework); Level C/4 'Composition'; Level I/5 and Level H/6 'Further Technical Studies' and 'Advanced Technical Studies'; Level I/5 'Compositional Strategy', 'Studio Composition Live' and 'Writing for Orchestra'; Lecel I/5 'Performance' (logbook); Level I/5 'Transcription and Editing'; Level I/5 & H/6 split-level music-history and analysis options; Level H/6 Extended Study Performance' (programme notes) The following units are wholly assessed by coursework submissions (written exercises, dissertation or portfolio): Level C/4 'Criticism and the Arts'; Level I/5 & H/6 options 'The Film Musical' and 'Discourses of Cultural Degeneration'; Level H/6 option 'Aesthetics and Criticism'; Level H/6 'Extended Study' (in 'Musicology', 'Composition' or 'Studio Composition'); Level H/6 'Musicology Project', 'Composition Project', 'Studio Project' and 'Editing Project' Recital or other demonstration of practical skill (Level C/4 'Practical Studies'; Level C/4 'Composition' (participation in workshops); Levels I/5 and H/6 'Performance' options) |
Programme Intended Learning Outcomes | Learning and Teaching Methods |
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Intellectual skills are developed through seminars, tutorials, oral presentations and written assignments (essays and supervised research projects). All units are structured so as to develop the skills of analysis, bibliographical control, synthesis and critical evaluation (points 1-4). Additionally, specific units at all levels focus on other intellectual skills such as planning, problem-solving and research methods (5, 6). At all levels of the programme there are seminar settings in which students have the opportunity to develop oral presentation skills (7). Formative feedback on these seminar presentations, and tutorially in relation to written exercises provide occasions for contextual reflection (8). |
Methods of Assessment | |
All assessment tasks (written examinations, assessed coursework and supervised research projects) test powers of analysis, bibliographical control, synthesis and evaluation (points 1-4). Problem-solving (point 5) is assessed both by written examinations and coursework (written and oral). Research skills are assessed through written coursework and supervised research projects, which also provide opportunities for self-directed work (point 6). Common to the assessment of all these is the requirement for accuracy and clarity of expression (7). |
Programme Intended Learning Outcomes | Learning and Teaching Methods |
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Seminars and tutorials are used to develop oral communication by requiring students to engage in group discussions, make convincing individual oral presentations and act as a respondent to the presentations of others. Team-working exercises (eg seminar presentations) are integrated into specific units in each of the last two years of the programme. Written communication is developed through project assignments, regular coursework and supervised research projects, typically within the various historical options but also in Level H Aesthetics and Criticism. |
Methods of Assessment | |
Assessment is primarily through written media (examinations, assessed coursework, and supervised research projects) providing evidence of a variety of essential communication skills (1, 2, 4). Assessed coursework and dissertations are also used to test key skills in the following units: Level C Historical Studies I and II; Level I Core Units; Levels I and H List C options; Level H Extended Studies (3, 6,7,8). Performance skills are tested by ensemble work and solo recitals at all levels (4, 5, 6). A programme of lessons and rehearsals documented in a log book tests the ability to sustain development over time and to write reflectively about the experience (1, 4, 5, 6, 8). |
Statement of expectations from the students at each level of the programme as it/they develop year on year.
Level C/4 - Certificate |
By the end of their studies at level C, students are expected to be able to demonstrate a sound knowledge of the fundamental principles of musicology (including a grasp of appropriate repertoires and texts and a satisfactory level of competence in the relevant bibliographic skills) as well as an ability to apply these in written texts of different kinds; confidence in handling elements of musical notation and language (for example, intervals, rhythms, modes, metres and sonorities); competence in the memorising of musical materials sufficient to enable accurate realisation of notation in sound; where appropriate, demonstrate a degree of personal expression and creativity in practical music-making; foundational knowledge of composition (whether acoustic or studio), and including the basics of sound recording and manipulation, MIDI and notation software. The expectation is that their work may require substantial direction from members of staff at this stage (supplied tutorially and in dedicated support seminars). |
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Level I/5 - Intermediate |
At level I students are expected to be able to demonstrate that they have expanded the range and depth of their knowledge of the various sub-disciplines and their capacity to evaluate these using a variety of critical perspectives. They should also have developed a higher level of competence in the relevant technical and/or practical skills. At this stage, students should be developing a capacity for mature reflection on specific aspects of the subject and for self-directed learning (for example, through the researching and writing of approved seminar projects). It is expected that at least a part of this gradual process of absorption will occur in seminars, in which second-year students are taught together with third-years and have the opportunity to gain insight and confidence from observing the contribution of more experienced students. Composers are expected to develop a critical relationship to their evolving musical language such that a personal 'voice' can be recognized intuitively and rationalized in the specific handling of and inter-relation between musical elements. Analytical studies may play a part in the acquisition of this skill. Performers are expected to refine the technical and interpretative aspects of their craft both as soloists and in an ensemble situation. |
Level H/6 - Honours |
At level H students are expected to expand the breadth of their knowledge through their study of optional subjects and to develop further their ability to gather and assimilate information. They are expected to synthesise material in an appropriate way, engage in sophisticated critical evaluation of texts about music, construct effective and detailed arguments (both orally and in writing) that display competence in the practices, processes, techniques and methodologies that underpin musicological practice. As composers, they are expected to refine the creative imagination, lateral thinking skills, and disciplined objectification of original ideas in a practical form. As performers, they are expected to develop a sensitivity to the musical demands of pieces in a variety of styles, and/or an affinity with the relevant performance practices of one particular style, and to communicate their interpretations with confidence in a performance setting. At this level students are expected to be able to demonstrate their capacity for self-directed study using the skills acquired and developed at level C and I. |
The intended learning outcome mapping document shows which mandatory units contribute towards each programme intended learning outcome.
Programme Intended Learning Outcomes | Learning and Teaching Methods |
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Knowledge and understanding are acquired through: lectures, seminars, tutorials, intensive language classes, directed reading, regular written coursework and practical language work (supported by the facilities of the Multimedia Centre), and a compulsory period of residence in the country or countries where the language is spoken. |
Methods of Assessment | |
For non-linguistic elements of the programme: Essays (of varying lengths) and essay-writing exercises, testing understanding of a single topic in detail (2, 3, 5, 6) Class tests (seen and unseen), testing ability to interpret Russian literary or cultural texts (1, 2, 3, 5) Exams, testing breadth of knowledge of different subjects (2, 3, 5, 6) At levels I and H, assessment is mainly summative. Language is informally assessed through regular (weekly/fortnightly) coursework assignments; formally by examination at the end of each year (grammar and comprehension tests, translations, essays, oral presentations and aural comprehension, as appropriate to level) (1, 4). |
Programme Intended Learning Outcomes | Learning and Teaching Methods |
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Intellectual skills are developed through seminars, class discussions, oral presentations and essay writing, as well as by the independent reading and preparation these exercises necessitate. Units are structured in such a way that the skills of analysis, synthesis and evaluation of literature are developed progressively through the course. |
Methods of Assessment | |
A variety of assessment methods are used as per individual unit aims and objectives.Essay-writing, class tests and examinations assess students' ability to analyse information and present reasoned arguments. Language is formally assessed by translations, essays, oral presentations and aural comprehension exercises. |
Programme Intended Learning Outcomes | Learning and Teaching Methods |
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Seminars and tutorials are used to develop oral communication by requiring students to engage in class discussions and to give short presentations to initiate discussion, including defending their interpretations in debate with other students and staff. These oral skill are further developed in the language classes (1, 3, 4, 5). Research and written communication skills are developed through feedback on essays (2, 8). Students are given guidance on independent learning, which is required in all language and non-language units (1, 7, 10, 11). Students are given guidance on the use of electronic resources, informed of opportunities for C&IT training, and required to maintain electronic communication during Year Abroad (6, 9) |
Methods of Assessment | |
Research and IT skills are assessed through coursework, including the year-abroad dissertation. (2, 6, 9) Written skills are assessed through coursework essays; examinations; and class tests which also require the ability to process an understanding of foreign-language sources (written and/or aural) (2, 10). Oral skills are assessed in some final-year seminar presentations, and at all levels in foreign-language oral examinations (3, 4, 5) Students are expected to manage their work effectively, and are penalised for late submission. |
Statement of expectations from the students at each level of the programme as it/they develop year on year.
Level C/4 - Certificate |
Year 1 of the course has been designed to lay the foundations, in terms both of subject-specific knowledge and skills and of more general skills and abilities, to lay the foundations which will allow students to fulfil the programme's aims and objectives. Separate core units in language provide intensive initial instruction for ab initio students, and consolidate and develop the existing language skills of qualified entrants. Non-linguistic units introduce some of the main themes and key concepts of classical Russian history, culture and literature. The expectation is that students' work may require considerable direction from members of staff at this stage |
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Level I/5 - Intermediate |
In Year 2 students are expected to be able to demonstrate an increased range and detail of knowledge in relevant areas of the discipline. Continuing development of linguistic skills places increased emphasis on independent learning, and linguistic analysis of Russian texts and/or documents is introduced into non-linguistic units followed by all students. The main but not exclusive focus of non-linguistic units is the 'classical' period of 19th-century Russian culture. Several units may be selected from a list of options; all are treated in greater depth and specificit than before. Students will be expected in consequence to develop their analytical skills, their ability to formulate ideas and to present them cogently. They will be encouraged in group work skills through active participation in seminars. In Year 3, students will develop their command of spoken and written Russian during the mandatory period of residence abroad when they either follow a formal programme on instruction at and academic institution in a Russian-speaking country. Their linguistic critical, research and presentational skills will also be enhanced through the writing of dissertations in Russian during the year. |
Level H/6 - Honours |
Year 4. Linguistic skills acquired over the previous three years are refined though an increased use of 'creative' (essay-writing; oral presentation) and 'mediation' (translation) skills. Students also continue to expand their knowledge of the subject-area through the study of a varied range of optional units closely linked to staff research interests. Non-linguistic units now typically combine substantial breadth with analytical depth, and more sophisticated conceptual and methodological approaches are encouraged. Students will be expected to develop further their ability to gather and assimilate challengingly complex information, to synthesise their findings in an appropriate way, and to engage in searching analysis of target-language texts. There is an increased emphasis on independent learning. |
The intended learning outcome mapping document shows which mandatory units contribute towards each programme intended learning outcome.
For information on the admissions requirements for this programme please see details in the undergraduate prospectus at http://www.bristol.ac.uk/prospectus/undergraduate/ or contact the relevant academic department.
UG Workload Statement
Success as an undergraduate student depends on you being able to make the transition to self-motivated, independent learning. Programmes are designed to assist you in this development, in many cases by starting with units in which timetabled teaching, such as lectures and practical classes, provides the foundations of knowledge and skills in a subject, moving on to individual research-based work. Over time you will be expected to take increasing responsibility for your own learning, guided by the feedback on your work that you will receive. At the heart of your studies at every level there must be regular and disciplined individual reading, reflection and writing and it is this skill of independent studies, above all others, that will serve you best when you leave the University.
Most programmes use credits and a 20 credit unit broadly equates to about 200 hours of student input. This includes all activities related to the teaching, learning and assessment of taught units.
A component of this is the time that you spend in class, in contact with the teaching staff, which includes activities such as lectures, laboratories, tutorials and fieldwork. Some of this activity may be online and could consist of activity that is synchronous (using real-time environments such as Blackboard Collaborate) or asynchronous (using tools such as tutor moderated discussion forums, blogs or wikis).
In some programmes there are field courses and/or placements that will take place in concentrated periods of time.
Outside scheduled activities you are expected to pursue your own independent learning to build your knowledge and understanding of the subjects you are studying. Such independent activities include, reviewing lecture material, reading textbooks, working on examples sheets, completing coursework, writing up laboratory notes, preparing for in-class progress tests and revising for examinations.
We recognise that many students undertake paid employment. To achieve a sensible balance between work and study, you are advised to undertake paid work for no more than 15 hours per week in term-time.
Professional Programmes
Many undergraduates in the Faculty of Health Sciences will be following the professional programmes of:
For these professional programmes, full time attendance is compulsory unless absence is formally approved. Academic activities are timetabled throughout the 5-day week and student workload is around 40 hours per week on average. Where possible, students in the early years are permitted Wednesday afternoons for sport and extra-curriculum activities. This may not be available in later years of professional programmes as when a student progresses through the curricula there is an increasing exposure to clinical and professional activities. Students in clinic or on placements may need to stay later than core times of 08.00 – 18.00 or even overnight to observe out-of-hours activities. This increasing exposure to clinical activities means that students on these professional programmes often have longer term dates than the University standard. Individual years within programmes are likely to vary in length (for example because of the timings of placements) and further information on this will be found in individual programme regulations. Another important point to note is that many of the assessments sit outside of the standard University examination timetable and are likely to be more frequent meaning that students will more oftentimes be engaged in revision activities and self-directed learning.
Faculty of Health Sciences
Faculty Assessment and Feedback Statement for Undergraduate Students. University of Bristol access only.
Music
The BA Joint Honours programme in Music and French is a full-time (4 year) programme. It requires 480 credit points including 240 from levels I and H and 120 from the year abroad. All students take 60 credits at Level C, 20 of which are Mandatory (see Section 18). The remainder of the programme (240 credit points) is made up of optional units at Levels I and H (though there are certain limitations on the combination of these). The particular permutations of credits obtainable from the Music Units are shown in Section 18 above. Credit points are awarded for satisfactory completion of each unit (ie. attendance, undertaking the prescribed exercises and passing the assessments, in accordance with current Arts Faculty regulations and ordinances). The study of a 10 credit point unit should involve 100 hours of learning effort (including contact teaching hours); the study of a 20 credit point unit should involve 200 hours of learning effort (including contact teaching hours). Virtually all aspects of the BA (Hons) programme in Music taken by Joint Honours students offer the opportunity to acquire and develop transferable skills much valued by employers, and reflected in the encouraging employment statistics relating to recent graduates.
Russian
In addition to its Joint Honours Russian programmes with a second language, the Department also offers single honours programmes in Russian, and Joint Programmes in Russian combined with History of Art or Philosophy or Politics.The Department has its own direct links with the following institutions for placement of students during their Year Abroad: Kuban State University, Krasnodar; The Alexandr Nevskii Orthodox School, Moscow; The Herzen University, St Petersburg; Vladimir State Pedagogical University; Voronezh State University; Republican Medical College, Almaty, Kazakhstan.
http://www.bris.ac.uk/Depts/Music or e mail to m.e.peirson@bris.ac.ukand see relevant websites for Language departments.
Mandatory Unit Russian Language is must pass. For further information and a definition of must pass units please see the Glossary of Terms
Unit Name | Unit Code | Credit Points | Status | ||
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List A - Take MUSI10047 and one of the Russian language units | |||||
Russian Language (ab initio) | RUSS10001 | 40 | Optional | TB-4 | |
Russian Language (for qualified entrants) | RUSS10036 | 20 | Optional | TB-4 | |
Technical Studies I: Harmony and Harmonic Analysis | MUSI10047 | 20 | Mandatory | TB-4 | |
List B - Take RUSS10039 and either MUSI10061, or MUSI10060 in list D | |||||
Music and Society 1 | MUSI10061 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 | |
Understanding Russia: Critical Approaches | RUSS10039 | 20 | Mandatory | TB-4 | |
List D - Choose 20CP from this list – or choose 40 CP to include MUSI10060 if you did not choose MUSI10045 in list B | |||||
Practical studies: Performance | MUSI10058 | 20 | Optional | TB-4 | |
Music and Society 2 | MUSI10060 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 | |
Composition | MUSI10059 | 20 | Optional | TB-4 | |
List E - Take this unit only if you take RUSS10036 in list A | |||||
Introduction to Russian Literature | RUSS10037 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 | |
Certificate of Higher Education | 120 |
Mandatory Unit Russian Language is must pass. For further information and a definition of must pass units please see the Glossary of Terms
Unit Name | Unit Code | Credit Points | Status | ||
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You must take at least 40 CP or RUSS-coded units and at least 40 CP of MUSI-coded units | |||||
List A - Take 20CP or 40CP from this list | |||||
Approaches to Music History I | MUSI20142 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 | |
Russian Language 2 | RUSS20008 | 20 | Mandatory | TB-4 | |
List B - Choose 20 credit points from this list. Across Lists B, C and E, you must choose at least one of MUSI20099, MUSI20141, MUSI20058, MUSI20126, MUSI20056, MUSI20124 and MUSI20047. | |||||
Further Technical Studies | MUSI20099 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 | |
Writing for Orchestra | MUSI20141 | 20 | Optional | B,E | TB-1 |
Composing Live Electronics | MUSI20126 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 | |
African-American Music in the 20th Century | MUSI20066 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 | |
Opera & Politics | MUSI20120 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 | |
Medieval Music Palaeography | MUSI20123 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 | |
Music and the Holocaust | MUSI20105 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 | |
Russian Orthodox Culture | RUSS20044 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 | |
The Nineteenth-Century Russian Novel | RUSS20069 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 | |
World Cinemas: from national to transnational | MODL23016 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 | |
General Linguistics | MODL20016 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 | |
Woman and Nation | MODL23017 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 | |
List C - Choose 20 credit points from this list. Across Lists B, C and E, you must choose at least one of MUSI20099, MUSI20141, MUSI20058, MUSI20126, MUSI20056, MUSI20124 and MUSI20047. | |||||
Performance | MUSI20058 | 20 | Optional | TB-4 | |
Transcription and Editing | MUSI20056 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 | |
Composing Live Electronics | MUSI20126 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 | |
African-American Music in the 20th Century | MUSI20066 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 | |
Music in Soviet Russia 1917-1991 | MUSI20073 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 | |
Music in Times of War | MUSI20119 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 | |
Opera & Politics | MUSI20120 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 | |
Music and the Holocaust | MUSI20105 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 | |
The Film Musical | MUSI20144 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 | |
Russian Orthodox Culture | RUSS20044 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 | |
Intermediate Czech Language | RUSS20043 | 20 | Optional | TB-4 | |
Revolutionary Russia, 1881-1917 | RUSS20066 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 | |
The Nineteenth-Century Russian Novel | RUSS20069 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 | |
Catalan Language (Elementary) | MODL23014 | 20 | Optional | TB-4 | |
Czech Language (Elementary) | MODL23015 | 20 | Optional | TB-4 | |
Introduction to teaching Modern Languages as Foreign Languages | MODL20021 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 | |
Beginners Portuguese | MODL20022 | 20 | Optional | TB-4 | |
Migrations of Culture | MODL20024 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 | |
List D - Choose 20CP. You must choose MUSI20143 if you did not choose MUSI20142 in list A | |||||
Approaches to Music History II | MUSI20143 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 | |
Engineers of the Human Soul: Soviet Culture and Politics 1917 - 1941 | RUSS20060 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 | |
Revolutionary Russia, 1881-1917 | RUSS20066 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 | |
Historical Linguistics | MODL20017 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 | |
Popular Representation and Institutions of Culture | MODL20026 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 | |
List E - Choose 20 CP from this list. Across Lists B, C and E, you must choose at least one of MUSI20099, MUSI20141, MUSI20058, MUSI20126, MUSI20056, MUSI20124 and MUSI20047. | |||||
Performance | MUSI20058 | 20 | Optional | TB-4 | |
Compositional Strategy | MUSI20047 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 | |
Transcription and Editing | MUSI20056 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 | |
Music recording and production | MUSI20124 | 20 | Optional | E | TB-2 |
Further Technical Studies | MUSI20099 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 | |
Writing for Orchestra | MUSI20141 | 20 | Optional | B,E | TB-1 |
Engineers of the Human Soul: Soviet Culture and Politics 1917 - 1941 | RUSS20060 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 | |
World Cinemas: from national to transnational | MODL23016 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 | |
List F | |||||
Choose 20 CP unit from the Bristol Futures list, the UWLP list or the faculty-wide list - OR choose one additional unit from lists A-E | OPEN | 20 | Optional | ||
Diploma of Higher Education | 120 |
Mandatory Year Abroad is must pass. For further information and a definition of must pass units please see the Glossary of Terms
Unit Name | Unit Code | Credit Points | Status | ||
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Year Abroad TB-1 | MODL20014 | 60 | Mandatory | AYEAR | |
Year Abroad TB-2 | MODL20015 | 60 | Mandatory | AYEAR | |
120 |
Please note: This specification provides a concise summary of the main features of the programme and the learning outcomes that a typical student might reasonably be expected to achieve and demonstrate if he/she takes full advantage of the learning opportunities that are provided.
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