Course Catalogue

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The overall aim of this course is to introduce students to underlying concepts and approaches to the study of popular music history and a range of important artists, events and genres. The course will then locate these histories within wider debates around culture, music, work and globalisation studies.

1x1hr lecture; 1x1hr seminar per week over 10 weeks as scheduled on MyCampus.

Available to all students fulfilling requirements for Honours entry into Music Programmes, to all students fulfilling requirements for Honours entry into MA Creative Arts and Industries, and by arrangement to visiting students or students of other Honours programmes who qualify under the University's 25% regulation

MUSIC5095

None

The standard assessments for this course are:

■ 10 minute (approx. 1500 word) podcast 50%
2500-word essay 50%

If required, for instance where a disability prevents a student from undertaking a specific method of assessment, the following alternatives are available:

■ Written script of equivalent wordcount as an alternative to the podcast.

■ There is no alternative to the essay, but a flexible deadline and extra time can be offered as reasonable adjustments (students should follow the usual process for extensions)

Further reasonable adjustments may be provided where necessary. Students are encouraged to consult with the course convenor.

The aims should express what the course offers to students. It has been agreed to adopt the following wording for all levels:

This course aims to:

■ Introduce students to key concepts and issues in popular music history.

■ Enhance the students' ability to critically reflect on the history of popular music.

■ Promote the students' critical analysis of problems and challenges across careers in popular music.

■ Develop students' skills in the presentation of ideas relating to the history of popular music.

■ Explore the key differences in the history of popular in diverse contexts, especially the historical role of Anglo-American popular music within global music cultures.

By the end of this course students will be able to:

■ Critically evaluate a range of academic approaches to the study of the history of popular music.

■ Analyse some of the key themes, events, genres, and artists in the history of popular music.

■ Evaluate the key differences in the history of popular music in diverse contexts, especially Anglo-American popular music within global music cultures.

■ Engage critically with academic and other texts dealing with the history of popular music.

■ Reflect critically upon what insights the history of popular music can provide for present day debates in popular music culture.

■ Verbally present concepts and arguments relating to popular music history.