MUS20410 Music History Since 1750

Academic Year 2024/2025

This module surveys Western art music from around 1750 until the early 21st century. It aims to provide the learner with a solid introduction to this rich corpus of music, balancing close readings of selected emblematic works with broader commentary on their various contexts, ie stylistic/aesthetic trends, historical developments, and societal/political background.

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Curricular information is subject to change

Learning Outcomes:

Distinguish between styles of different periods.
Discuss issues of musical style and design with reference to broader contexts.
Create links between music history and cultural history in general.
Demonstrate critical thinking in the research and writing of a scholarly essay.

Indicative Module Content:

The history of Western art music from the Classical era (1750) to the present.
Musical styles and genres.
The aesthetics of music.
Reception and cultural history.
Ensembles and modes of performance.
Nationalism and exoticism.
Race and gender.

Student Effort Hours: 
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

24
Autonomous Student Learning

76
Total

100
Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
Lectures.
Critical writing.
Close listening.
Reflective learning.
Class discussion. 
Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Incompatibles:
MUS10040 - Introduction to Musicology I


 
Assessment Strategy  
Description Timing Open Book Exam Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade
Assignment(Including Essay): Essay (2,000 words) on a prescribed topic n/a Graded No

50
Quizzes/Short Exercises: Multiple choice questionnaire n/a Graded No

20
Quizzes/Short Exercises: Repertoire listening test n/a Graded No

30

Carry forward of passed components
Yes
 
Resit In Terminal Exam
Autumn No
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 
Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, on an activity or draft prior to summative assessment
• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Not yet recorded.

Burkholder, J. Peter, Donald Jay Grout, and Claude V. Palisca, eds. A History of Western Music. 10th edition. New York: Norton, 2019.