| Unit name | Technical Studies I |
|---|---|
| Unit code | MUSI10065 |
| Credit points | 20 |
| Level of study | C/4 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 1 (weeks 1 - 12) |
| Unit director | Professor. Williams |
| Open unit status | Not open |
| Units you must take before you take this one (pre-requisite units) |
None |
| Units you must take alongside this one (co-requisite units) |
None |
| Units you may not take alongside this one |
None |
| School/department | Department of Music |
| Faculty | Faculty of Arts |
Why is this unit important:
The purpose of this unit is to ensure that you have the opportunity to develop a foundational knowledge of the technical musical skills (in music theory, analysis and where relevant pastiche composition, aural skills and practical exercises) that will enable you to deal confidently with technical, musicology and composition units in subsequent years. The unit brings the study of music theory into the 21st-century, as you will encounter music from across a variety of musical traditions from different periods and cultures.
How does this fit into your programme of study:
This unit mirrors the first-year unit Music and Society 1 and follows a similar structure of three components of 3-4 weeks each on different musical traditions. The teaching in each week is divided into lectures, seminars and workshops. Technical Studies 1 therefore functions as a ‘sister unit’ to Music and Society 1 and in a similar way tries to diversify and decolonise the music curriculum. Taking both units side by side, you will develop core skills in music theory, analysis and historical musicology and will be able to understand the connection between these units and the different musical traditions they address.
An overview of content
This unit introduces key technical concepts and approaches for analysing and engaging with music at the level of technical detail. It provides foundational knowledge on the technical study of Western tonal music, but also looks beyond the western canon and explores different musics from a technical perspective. The choice of period, repertoire, and methodological approach changes from year to year, but always aims to broaden the range of students’ technical musical knowledge and abilities.
How will students, personally, be different as a result of the unit
Through exposure to the theory and technical features of different musical traditions, students will experience a wide-ranging and diversified approach to technical studies, and one closely linked to the expertise of staff in the Music Department. Given the thematic variety of units offered at levels I and H, Technical Studies 1 prepares students to deal with very different musics competently from a technical perspective and understand them from the inside out.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:
Teaching will be delivered through a combination of synchronous and asynchronous sessions, including lectures and self-directed exercises. The unit will be comprised of three hours of contact time per week, divided into lectures, seminars, and workshops (1 hour each).
Tasks which count towards your unit mark (summative):
Three technical studies (equally weighted) (ILOs 1-3).
Each technical study will relate to one of the subunits and will be submitted shortly after the end of each subunit so that assessment is evenly spread across the term.
When assessment does not go to plan
When required by the Board of Examiners, you will normally complete assessments in the same formats as those outlined above. However, the Board reserves the right to modify the form of number of reassessment required.
Details of reassessments are normally confirmed by the School shortly after the notification of your results at the end of the academic year.
If this unit has a Resource List, you will normally find a link to it in the Blackboard area for the unit. Sometimes there will be a separate link for each weekly topic.
If you are unable to access a list through Blackboard, you can also find it via the Resource Lists homepage. Search for the list by the unit name or code (e.g. MUSI10065).
How much time the unit requires
Each credit equates to 10 hours of total student input. For example a 20 credit unit will take you 200 hours
of study to complete. Your total learning time is made up of contact time, directed learning tasks,
independent learning and assessment activity.
See the University Workload statement relating to this unit for more information.
Assessment
The assessment methods listed in this unit specification are designed to enable students to demonstrate the named learning outcomes (LOs). Where a disability prevents a student from undertaking a specific method of assessment, schools will make reasonable adjustments to support a student to demonstrate the LO by an alternative method or with additional resources.
The Board of Examiners will consider all cases where students have failed or not completed the assessments required for credit.
The Board considers each student's outcomes across all the units which contribute to each year's programme of study. For appropriate assessments, if you have self-certificated your absence, you will normally be required to complete it the next time it runs (for assessments at the end of TB1 and TB2 this is usually in the next re-assessment period).
The Board of Examiners will take into account any exceptional circumstances and operates
within the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.
