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Module Specifications.

Current Academic Year 2024 - 2025

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Date posted: September 2024

Module Title Critical Listening
Module Code MC328 (ITS) / MPA1061 (Banner)
Faculty Humanities & Social Sciences School Theology, Philosophy & Music
Module Co-ordinatorCormac O'Brien
Module TeachersLinda Adams, Ronan Guilfoyle
NFQ level 8 Credit Rating 5
Pre-requisite Not Available
Co-requisite Not Available
Compatibles Not Available
Incompatibles Not Available
Coursework Only
Description

A module designed to introduce the learners to deep and critical listening. Through listening to recordings, going to performances, reading books on music, and in-class discussion, learners will engage with the aesthetics, history, and ethos of music. Learners will develop abilities to listen deeply, and to interpret music in a personal and ultimately creative way. Relevant analytical, critical and historical information will be discussed and the relevant components and aesthetics of what constitutes a successful jazz performance explored. Changing aesthetics derived from the performance practices of different eras of jazz will be discussed, and the way music may be interpreted in a variety of ways explored.

Learning Outcomes

1. Develop an ability to listen to music critically and deeply
2. Develop an ability to place music within a cultural and historical context.
3. Develop a personal aesthetic through which music can be assessed in an informed way
4. Develop an appreciation for the many elements that make up a successful performance of a piece of music



Workload Full-time hours per semester
Type Hours Description
Lecture24Weekly, A two-hour group workshop
Independent Study86Research through listening and reading
Assignment Completion15CD, Book and Concert Reviews
Total Workload: 125

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

Development of critical listening skills
A module devoted to exploring the development of critical listening skills. Discussions on what constitutes a good performance, or composition in the mind of the listener. Aesthetic, historic and environmental considerations that can illuminate a piece of music. A critical look at the art of writing about music, particularly in the area of reviewing. An exploration of the major jazz writers will be undertaken. Examining different criteria that can be brought into play when listening to music created in the concert environment, or the studio environment. Historical considerations that can be taken into account when listening to music of an earlier era. Discussions will take place concerning the issues of innovation versus tradition that often form the basis of jazz criticism. Appropriate language for written musical discussions will also be explored. Over the course of the academic year, learners will write the following: CD Review 1: A 500-word review of an historic recording (pre-1980) CD Review 2: A 500-word word review of a contemporary recording (post-1980) CD Review 3: A 500-word review of an Irish jazz recording Book Review: A 500-word review of a book on jazz or related music Concert Review: A 500-word review of a live performance

Assessment Breakdown
Continuous Assessment100% Examination Weight0%
Course Work Breakdown
TypeDescription% of totalAssessment Date
AssignmentCD Review 1 Review of an historic recording (pre-1980)20%Week 3
AssignmentCD Review 2 Review of a contemporary recording (post-1980)20%Week 6
AssignmentCD Review 3 Review of an Irish jazz recording20%Week 9
AssignmentConcert Review Review of a live performance20%Sem 1 End
AssignmentBook Review Review of a book on jazz or related music20%Sem 1 End
Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories:
Resit category 1: A resit is available for both* components of the module.
Resit category 2: No resit is available for a 100% continuous assessment module.
Resit category 3: No resit is available for the continuous assessment component where there is a continuous assessment and examination element.
* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a Continuous Assessment/Examination split; where the module is 100% continuous assessment, there will also be a resit of the assessment
This module is category 1
Indicative Reading List

  • Gioia, Ted: 2016, How to Listen to Jazz, Basic Books,
  • Whitney Balliett: 0, Collected Works, St. Martin's Griffin, 0312270089
  • Ingrid Monson: 1996, Saying something, University of Chicago Press, Chicago, 0226534782
  • Ben Ratliff: 0, Coltrane: The Story of a Sound, Picador, 0312427786
  • Paul F. Berliner: 1994, Thinking in jazz, University of Chicago Press, Chicago, 0226043819
Other Resources

None

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