Honours Music Studies 2 (MUSI40111)
HonoursPoints: 12.5On Campus (Southbank)
Overview
| Availability | Semester 2 |
|---|---|
| Fees | Look up fees |
This subject introduces students to a major research topic in musicology, ethnomusicology, or popular music studies through guided readings, discussions and a research project.
Topic, reading list, project timeline and format are agreed upon in collaboration between student and honours coordinator before the semester begins.
2025 Topic: Music and meaning from Bach to Beethoven and beyond.
In this subject we will explore the construction of meaning in Western music from the early Modern period to the present through the lens of the theory of musical topics. The concept of topic alludes to conventional figures that refer audiences to culturally shared worlds of meaning. Topical awareness can influence our understanding of individual works and help shape their interpretation. Although our main focus will be the Western art music tradition, the use of topics in other genres such as video game, popular, and film music will be considered.
Delivery
This subject is co-taught with MUSI30270 Topics in Musicology. Students cannot simultaneously enrol in co-taught subjects in the same study period.
Intended learning outcomes
On successful completion of this subject, students should be able to:
- identify and critique major perspectives and methods associated with a contemporary topic or area in academic music studies;
- compare and assess how major topics in music studies have been applied to different contexts and time periods;
- find and assess the secondary literature on a major issue in the study of music;
- craft and answer a research question related to a major topic in music studies using primary, secondary and tertiary sources as appropriate.
Last updated: 4 March 2025