Overview

The first part of the module will offer a contextual history of the development of popular music analysis as a sub-discipline of musicology, seeking to explain why popular music should be studied seriously and how thoughts about this have developed especially since the 1980s. The second part of the module will examine different modes of analysis, with reference to case studies, allowing students to become familiar with approaches such as Schenkerian techniques, soundbox, semiotics, lyrical analysis, and deconstruction of visual accompaniments (e.g. music videos). It will also give students a firm understanding of the leading authors in the field and how their approaches differ and interact. The ability to read music notation is desirable but not essential for this module.

Assessment Strategy

-threshold -Threshold (D– to D+): Work which displays basic knowledge of the subject, with some limited ability in conceptual and critical thinking, expressed intelligibly. -good -Good (B– to B+): Work which displays a good grasp of the subject, with evidence of strong ability at conceptual and critical thinking, expressed engagingly. -excellent -Excellent (A– to A*): Work which displays a thorough grasp of the subject, with evidence of depth and originality in conceptual and critical thinking, expressed convincingly. -another level-Fair (C– to C+): Work which displays fair knowledge of the subject, with satisfactory ability at conceptual and critical thinking, expressed understandably.

Learning Outcomes

• On completion of this module, the student should be able to apply skills of musical analysis, source-based research, and critical thinking in relation to the music studied

• On completion of this module, the student should be able to communicate ideas about the music studied effectively

• On completion of this module, the student should be able to demonstrate and apply a detailed knowledge and understanding of popular music in culture (current or historical)

• On completion of this module, the student should be able to demonstrate and apply a detailed knowledge and understanding of specific methodologies / techniques of popular music analysis