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MUS20640

Academic Year 2024/2025

Music Theory 3 (MUS20640)

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

Curricular information is subject to change.

This module is an extension of Music Theory 2, enhancing theoretical and analytical skills, exploring repertoire beyond the classical music canon, and introducing foundational music technology skills. The module is structured around 3 topics. The first topic is species counterpoint, which students study through composition-styled exercises. The second topic considers larger forms such as rondo and sonata forms, by building on the principles of formal analysis introduced in Music Theory 2. The last topic focuses on the nuances of a twentieth-century musical vocabulary, developing upon the Baroque and Classical concepts of Music Theory 1 and 2. This module incorporates small-group tutorials aimed at supporting the module content through in-class exercises and analysis. Practical skills are enhanced through keyboard harmony classes.

About this Module

Learning Outcomes:

On completion of this module students should be able to:

-demonstrate a knowledge of species counterpoint 
-critically engage with form, and apply formal terminology to works outside of the Western Art music canon 
-utilize digital software (such as Audacity) for analytical purposes
-analyse and engage critically with a specific musical vocabulary of the twentieth century
-undertake an independent analysis of a small-scale musical work

Indicative Module Content:

Chapters 8, 38, 39, 40, 41 of Burstein & Straus, Concise Introduction to Tonal Harmony (New York & London: W.W. Norton, 2020).

Chapter 1–7 of Schubert, Modal Counterpoint, Renaissance Style (Oxford and New York: Oxford University Press, 2018).

Parts 2 and 3 of Caplin, Analyzing Classical Form: An approach for the classroom (Oxford and New York: Oxford University Press, 2013).

Chapters 2–9, Perischetti, Twentieth-Century Harmony: Creative Aspects and Practice (New York: W.W. Norton & Company, Inc. 1961)

— Species counterpoint composition
— Sonata and rondo form analysis
— Theme and variations analysis
— Pandiatonic harmony
— Quintal and quartal harmonies
— Pentatonic and hexatonic scales
— Using a Digital Audio Workstation (such as Audacity)
— Harmonic progressions, melodic harmonisation, cadential formulae, and accompanying patterns at the keyboard

Student Effort Hours:
Student Effort Type Hours
Specified Learning Activities

24

Autonomous Student Learning

34

Lectures

24

Tutorial

12

Practical

6

Total

100


Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
In-person lectures.
Face-to-face tutorials.
Face-to-face practicals.
Individual listening and practice.
Task-based learning.

Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations
Learning Recommendations:

Students attempting this module must have completed MUS10190 Music Theory 1 and MUS20650 Music Theory 2, or equivalent.


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): Hand written assignment (hardcopy submission) Week 5 Standard conversion grade scale 40% No
30
No
Individual Project: Part 2: Analysis project (digital submission) Week 15 Standard conversion grade scale 40% No
40
No
Individual Project: Part 1: Analysis project draft proposal (digital submission) Week 10 Standard conversion grade scale 40% No
10
No
Practical Skills Assessment: Keyboard Assessment (with tutor) Week 11, Week 12 Standard conversion grade scale 40% No
20
No

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, post-assessment
• Group/class feedback, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

— Attendance at lectures and tutorials is essential to progression in this module. — Feedback will be provided individually and to the group within tutorials. — Individual feedback is also available from the module coordinator during weekly office hours. — Students are also encouraged to engage with the self-assessment activities available in the textbook and its online resources.

Chapters 8, 38, 39, 40, 41 of Burstein & Straus, Concise Introduction to Tonal Harmony (New York & London: W.W. Norton, 2020).

Chapter 1–7 of Schubert, Modal Counterpoint, Renaissance Style (Oxford and New York: Oxford University Press, 2018).

Parts 2 and 3 of Caplin, Analyzing Classical Form: An approach for the classroom (Oxford and New York: Oxford University Press, 2013).

Chapters 2–9, Perischetti, Twentieth-Century Harmony: Creative Aspects and Practice (New York: W.W. Norton & Company, Inc. 1961)


Name Role
Ms Maddie Kavanagh Clarke Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Fiona Baldwin Tutor
Ms Aoife Murphy Tutor
Tegan Sutherland Tutor

Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.
Spring Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 Tues 09:00 - 10:50
Spring Tutorial Offering 7 Week(s) - 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 Tues 11:00 - 11:50
Spring Tutorial Offering 9 Week(s) - 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 Tues 12:00 - 12:50
Spring Tutorial Offering 12 Week(s) - 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 Tues 15:00 - 15:50
Spring Tutorial Offering 13 Week(s) - 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 Tues 16:00 - 16:50
Spring Laboratory Offering 1 Week(s) - 21, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 Mon 12:00 - 12:30
Spring Laboratory Offering 2 Week(s) - 21, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 Mon 13:00 - 13:30
Spring Laboratory Offering 4 Week(s) - 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 31, 32, 33 Wed 10:00 - 10:30
Spring Laboratory Offering 4 Week(s) - 30 Wed 10:00 - 10:30
Spring Laboratory Offering 5 Week(s) - 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 Wed 11:00 - 11:30
Spring Laboratory Offering 7 Week(s) - 21, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 Mon 11:00 - 11:30