Module: Topics in Musicology 1

Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title	Topics in Musicology 1
Module Code	MPA1004 (ITS: MC103)
Faculty	Theology, Philosophy & Music	School	Humanities & Social Sciences
NFQ level	8	Credit Rating	5

Description

In this module, students are introduced to the discipline of musicology, and study in detail the topics Baroque Music (1) and Film Music. For Baroque Music (1) students undertake general studies of selected topics in additional to detailed analytical studies of prescribed works from the period; they are introduced to relevant analytical, critical and historical information, and to a range of skills and competencies enabling them to understand musicological concepts as they relate to the style and period. In the Film Music component, students are introduced to musicological and inter-textual approaches to film score analysis, and to mimetic and diegetic uses of music in film with reference to examples from original scores as well as compilation soundtracks.

Learning Outcomes

1. Understand the broad aims and methods of musicology
2. Understand the musical characteristics, forms, styles and compositional techniques of the Baroque period in music history
3. Analyse and appraise representative works from the Baroque period
4. Undertake general studies of musical topics from the 17th and 18th centuries, such as suite, concerto, chamber music, opera and keyboard music
5. Understand film music theory, as it relates to examples of original scores and of pre-existing music
6. Analyse and appraise film music with reference to compositional techniques, and to the role of the director/auteur
7. Appraise and interpret developments in the history of Irish film music

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full time hours per semester
Lecture	24	Lectures
Independent Study	98	No Description
Tutorial	3	Tutorial groups
Total Workload: 125

Section Breakdown
CRN	11128	Part of Term	Semester 1
Coursework	0%	Examination Weight	0%
Grade Scale	40PASS	Pass Both Elements	Y
Resit Category	RC1	Best Mark	N
Module Co-ordinator	John O'Flynn	Module Teacher	Bláithin Duggan

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assessment Breakdown
Assignment	n/a	40%	n/a
Formal Examination	n/a	60%	End-of-Semester

Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories; RC1: A resit is available for both^* components of the module. RC2: No resit is available for a 100% coursework module. RC3: No resit is available for the coursework component where there is a coursework and summative examination element. ^* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a coursework/summative examination split; where the module is 100% coursework, there will also be a resit of the assessment

Pre-requisite	None
Co-requisite	None
Compatibles	None
Incompatibles	None

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

Baroque Music (1)
Introduction to musicological studies and methods;

Introduction to history, culture and arts in the Baroque Period;

The keyboard music of François Couperin;

Monteverdi and Early Opera

Introduction to musicological studies and methods
An introduction to Film Music Studies

Film Music
An introduction to Film Music Studies;

Music in pre-existing film;

Chamber music and film;

Science Fiction and film music;

Music in Irish documentary film;

Music in Irish film fiction;

Composers and film music;

Introduction to history, culture and arts in the Baroque Period
Chamber music and film;

Science Fiction and film music;

Music in Irish documentary film;

The keyboard music of François Couperin
Music in Irish film fiction;

Composers and film music;

Monteverdi and Early Opera

Indicative Reading List

Books:

Anthony, James R: 1997, French Baroque Music, Amadeus, Portland, OR,
Davison, Archibald T: 1950, Historical Anthology of Music, Harvard, Cambridge, MA,
Grout, Donald and Palisca, Claude V: 1996, A History of Western Music, Norton, NY,
Kalinak, Kathryn: 1992, Settling the score: music and the classical Hollywood film, University of Wisconsin Press,
Kalinak, Kathryn: 2010, Film Music: A Very Short Introduction, Oxford University Press,
Mera, Miguel and Burnand, David: 2006, European Film Music, Ashgate., Aldershot, Hampshire: Ashgate.,
Palisca, Claude V: 1968, Baroque Music, Prentice Hall., Englewood Cliffs, N.J,
Powrie, Phil and Stilwell Robynn: 2006, Changing tunes: the use of pre-existing music in film, Hampshire: Ashgate, Aldershot,
Wierzbicki, James Eugene: 2009, Film music: a history, Routhledge, New York,

Articles:
None

Other Resources

None