Module: Topics in Musicology 2

Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title	Topics in Musicology 2
Module Code	MPA1005 (ITS: MC104)
Faculty	Theology, Philosophy & Music	School	Humanities & Social Sciences
NFQ level	8	Credit Rating	5

Description

In this module, students continue to engage with the discipline of musicology, and study in detail the topics Baroque Music (2) and Irish Traditional Music (1). For Baroque Music (2) students continue with general studies of selected topics from the 17th and 18th centuries in additional to detailed analytical studies of prescribed works from the period; they also engage with relevant analytical, critical and historical information, and develop attendant skills and competencies enabling them to understand musicological concepts as they relate to the style and period. The Irish Traditional Music component examines repertoire, techniques and practices of instrumental dance music and of vocal music in English and Irish language traditions. Students are introduced to historical, analytical, stylistic, cultural and critical perspectives pertinent to Irish traditional music.

Learning Outcomes

1. Further understand the broad aims and methods of musicology
2. Further 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. Know repertoires, performance techniques and practices of Irish traditional music in dance and song traditions
6. Analyse and appraise genres/practices of Irish traditional music in cultural and historical contexts
7. Consult song/tune collections and other archival materials relevant to Irish traditional music studies
8. Apply musicological information and analytical skills in researching and communicating informed assessments of music across a range of stylistic and socio-historical contexts

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full time hours per semester
Lecture	24	Lectures
Independent Study	101	Independent Learning
Total Workload: 125

Section Breakdown
CRN	20759	Part of Term	Semester 2
Coursework	0%	Examination Weight	0%
Grade Scale	40PASS	Pass Both Elements	Y
Resit Category	RC1	Best Mark	N
Module Co-ordinator	Bláithin Duggan	Module Teacher	Robert Harvey

Section Breakdown
CRN	21346	Part of Term	Semester 2
Coursework	0%	Examination Weight	0%
Grade Scale	40PASS	Pass Both Elements	Y
Resit Category	RC1	Best Mark	N
Module Co-ordinator	Bláithin Duggan	Module Teacher

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assessment Breakdown
Group project	Group project	40%	n/a
Formal Examination	Examination	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 (2)
The Court Music of 17th Century France;

The Development of the Baroque Concerti;

Score reading and musical analysis: thematic material, key relationships and instrumentation;

Irish Traditional Music (1)
Survey history of Irish traditional music

Characteristics of Irish traditional dance music;

Instruments: techniques, style and performance;

Irish language song traditions;

English language song traditions

Song/tune collections and other archives of Irish traditional music

Indicative Reading List

Books:

Anthony, James R: 1997, French Baroque Music, Amadeus, Portland, OR,
Breathnach, Breandán: 1971, Folk Music and Dances of Ireland, Mercier, Dublin,
Boyd, Malcolm: 1993, Bach, the Brandenburg Concertos, Cambridge University Press,
Davison, Archibald T: 1950, Historical Anthology of Music, Harvard, Cambridge, MA,
Donington, Robert: 1982, Baroque music: style and performance: a handbook, Faber, London,
Grout, Donald and Palisca, Claude V: 1996, A History of Western Music, Norton, New York,
Ó Cannáin, Tomás: 1978, Traditional Music in Ireland, Routledge, London,
Ó hAllmhuráin, Gearóid: 1998, A Pocket History of Irish Traditional Music, The O’Brien Press, Dublin,
Palisca, Claude V: 1968, Baroque Music, Prentice Hall, Englewood Cliffs, N.J,
Smith, Therese: 2012, Ancestral Imprints: Histories of Irish Traditional Music, Cork University Press,
Vallely, Fintan: 2011, The Companion to Irish Traditional Music, 2nd edition, Cork University Press,
Williams, Sean (2009): 2009, Focus: Irish Traditional Music, Routledge, London,

Articles:
None

Other Resources

None