Unit information: Musicology Project 2 in 2016/17

Unit name	Musicology Project 2
Unit code	MUSI30067
Credit points	20
Level of study	H/6
Teaching block(s)	Teaching Block 2 (weeks 13 - 24)
Unit director	Dr. Scheding
Open unit status	Not open
Pre-requisites	None
Co-requisites	None
School/department	Department of Music
Faculty	Faculty of Arts

Description including Unit Aims

Building upon the techniques acquired at Level I, this unit will offer an opportunity for detailed study of a particular area of interest in the field of historical musicology. The project will result in an extended dissertation, presented according to modern, professional scholarly conventions. It will necessarily involve a substantial degree of independent study, although there will be weekly support seminars and regular tutorial supervision in which bibliographies, outlines and methodological strategies will be formulated, or drafts discussed, as relevant. While original work is not expected at this level, it is encouraged and the submitted project should demonstrate an ability to research a topic effectively and sufficiently, and to present a coherent synthesis of the research findings, both orally (in the seminars) and in the submitted dissertation.

Aims:

This unit allows students who have identified a strong interest in pursuing historical investigation of music at Levels C and I to devote themselves to writing an extended dissertation on a defined topic. The topic will be chosen from a list of research areas advertised annually and fitting the interests of academic staff. Individual tutorial supervision will be provided and in addition, there will be regular work-in-progress seminars for all students taking this unit, to allow for discussion of general problematics, presentation of ideas and drafts, and formative feedback.

Intended Learning Outcomes

Successful completion of this unit will enable students to:

• devise an appropriate approach to an extended topic (with tutorial guidance, as appropriate)

• develop and demonstrate bibliographic skills

• formulate an outline of an extended topic, write draft versions and benefit from constructive criticism, tutorially and in the support seminars

• comment in detail and at length on a particular field of enquiry

• develop and display critical, synthetic and presentational skills

• write in a style that is concise and yet does justice to the demands of the topic

• develop and display the research skills required for treatment of an extensive or complex enquiry

• contribute effectively to seminar discussions (whether as presenter or respondent)

• consolidate the research and critical skills essential for postgraduate study in musicology.

Teaching Information

Work-in-progress seminars (1 hr per week) and individual supervisions.

Assessment Information

Annotated bibliography and dissertation plan (by end of week 4) – for credit only

1000-word subsection (by end of week 7) – for credit only

Final dissertation of 5000 words – 100% of unit mark

Reading and References

To be identified tutorially, depending on the particular topic chosen.