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MUS10210

Academic Year 2026/2027

Musicianship (MUS10210)

Subject:
Music
College:
Arts & Humanities
School:
Music
Level:
1 (Introductory)
Credits:
5
Module Coordinator:
Dr Conor Power
Trimester:
Autumn
Mode of Delivery:
On Campus
Internship Module:
No
How will I be graded?
Letter grades

Curricular information is subject to change.

This module prepares students for more advanced music theory modules by focusing intensively on musical notation and the elements of Western music theory in order to give students confidence with the fundamentals. Through a combination of lectures and small-group tutorials, students will work on the notation of pitch and rhythm, rhythmic duration and rests, metres, clefs, scales, key signatures, relative and parallel keys, intervals and their qualities, triads, and chords. Students will be given the tools necessary to achieve fluency and agility in handling this material.

The module will also include the exploration of melody, harmony, rhythm and timbre as fundamental elements of music. These elements will be elucidated through an introduction to score reading. In weekly tutorials students will have the opportunity to develop their music literacy skills in small groups where attention will also be devoted to the development of sight-reading skills.

IMPORTANT: For students studying music as part of their programme in the BA or BA Humanities, a short music theory examination will be available to you during the registration period. If you achieve less than 80% in this exam, you should take Musicianship. If you achieve a higher grade you can proceed directly to Music Theory 1 in the spring trimester.

About this Module

Learning Outcomes:

On completion of the module students should be able to:
- Demonstrate a thorough knowledge of the notation of pitch and rhythm, rhythmic duration and rests, meters, clefs, scales, key signatures, circle of fifths, relative and parallel keys, intervals and their qualities, triads, and chord identification
- Engage critically with basic questions of harmonic analysis, using the technical names of scale degrees and Roman numeral identification.
- Read confidently and analyse a short score, and be able to explain the music using basic Italian musical terms

Indicative Module Content:

Fundamental music theory and literacy
Fundamental elements of music, including harmony and analysis
Score-reading
Listening skills

Part 1 of Burstein, L. Poundie & Joseph N. Straus, Concise Introduction to Tonal Harmony (3rd edition), W. W. Norton: New York and London, 2025.

UNESCO highlights a set of key competencies that support individuals in their development and support society in achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). UCD has adapted these competencies and is combining them with others to form a general framework of learning competencies. This module will help you develop the competencies below to the levels specified. 
Learning Competency Additional Information Level

Collaboration

 The ability to learn from others; to understand and respect the needs, perspectives and actions of others (empathy); to understand, relate to and be sensitive to others (empathic leadership); to deal with conflicts in a group; and to facilitate collaborative and participatory problem solving. Advanced Beginner

Critical Thinking

 The ability to question norms, practices and opinions; to reflect on one’s own values, perceptions and actions. Advanced Beginner

Strategic

 The ability to collectively develop and implement innovative actions that further sustainability at the local level and further afield. Novice

Integrated Problem Solving

 The overarching ability to apply different problem-solving frameworks to complex sustainability problems and develop viable, inclusive and equitable solution options that promote sustainable development, integrating the competencies in this list. Novice

Digital Literacy and Judgement

 The ability to access, evaluate, create and communicate information in digital environments; to engage critically, ethically and responsibly with digital technologies and digital information; to understand their opportunities, limitations, risks and impact on individual’s digital identities; and to exercise informed judgement in digital participation and decision-making. Advanced Beginner

AI Literacy & Agency

 The ability to understand, critically evaluate and responsibly engage with artificial intelligence; to recognise how AI systems are shaped by human values; to assess their ethical, social and environmental implications; and to exercise human judgement, agency and accountability in AI-related contexts. Novice

Wellbeing

 Wellbeing is having the resources and skills to meet life's challenges, including attributes such as personal development skills, resilience, stress management, strengths, lifestyle skills, nutrition, physical activity, sleep, alcohol/substance use, academic skills, time management, goal setting, interpersonal skills, group work, communication. Advanced Beginner

The United Nations identified seventeen Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as core to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and UCD contributes in general to SDG 4 Quality Education. Further SDGs explored within this module if relevant are listed below. A scale of 1 - 5 indicates the extent to which the SDG is covered.


 

Student Effort Hours:
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

20
Tutorial

10
Specified Learning Activities

30
Autonomous Student Learning

40
Total

100

Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
Lectures.
Small group tutorials.
Peer assessment.
Online quizzes.
Task-based learning.
Self-study (aural skills).

Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 

Assessment Strategy
Description Timing Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade In Module Component Repeat Offered
Assignment(Including Essay): Take Home Exercise 1 Week 5 Standard conversion grade scale 40% No
30
 No
Assignment(Including Essay): Take Home Exercise 2 Week 9 Standard conversion grade scale 40% No
30
 No
Exam (In-person): In-class exam in the final week of term. Week 12 Standard conversion grade scale 40% No
40
 No

Carry forward of passed components
Yes
 

Resit In Terminal Exam
Spring No
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 

Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment
• Group/class feedback, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Not yet recorded.

Burstein, L. Poundie & Joseph N. Straus, Concise Introduction to Tonal Harmony (3rd edition), W. W. Norton: New York and London, 2025.

Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.
Autumn Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12 Mon 15:00 - 16:50
Autumn Tutorial Offering 1 Week(s) - 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12 Thurs 15:00 - 15:50
Autumn Tutorial Offering 3 Week(s) - 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12 Thurs 16:00 - 16:50
Autumn Tutorial Offering 4 Week(s) - 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12 Tues 13:00 - 13:50
Autumn Tutorial Offering 5 Week(s) - 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12 Tues 10:00 - 10:50
Autumn Tutorial Offering 6 Week(s) - 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12 Tues 14:00 - 14:50
Autumn Tutorial Offering 7 Week(s) - 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12 Tues 11:00 - 11:50
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