Module: Harmony, Counterpoint & Composition 1

Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title	Harmony, Counterpoint & Composition 1
Module Code	MPA1010 (ITS: MC112)
Faculty	Theology, Philosophy & Music	School	Humanities & Social Sciences
NFQ level	8	Credit Rating	5

Description

Students will learn foundational concepts in harmony and counterpoint through composition exercises, listening tasks, and performance. This is achieved through the completion of weekly exercises in two-voice counterpoint derived from the historical treatise on Renaissance counterpoint by Johann Joseph Fux, ‘Gradus ad Parnassum’ (1725). These exercises systematically introduce the study of counterpoint over five stages or ‘species’, hence the name species counterpoint.

Learning Outcomes

1. Identify number and quality of melodic and harmonic intervals and relate these to the conventions of species counterpoint
2. Demonstrate an understanding of the types of harmonic motion and their associated rules of voice-leading
3. Demonstrate an understanding of various types of non-harmony notes and their permitted use in each species
4. Demonstrate an understanding of the stylistic features of species counterpoint
5. Present and manipulate relevant composition work in appropriate notation software

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full time hours per semester
Lecture	24	Teaching, performance, listening, discussion of course content
Assignment Completion	48	Continuous Assessment
Independent Study	53	Weekly tasks
Total Workload: 125

Section Breakdown
CRN	11133	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	Seán Doherty	Module Teacher

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assessment Breakdown
Music Composition	First-Species Counterpoint	20%	n/a
Music Composition	Second-Species Counterpoint	20%	n/a
Music Composition	Third-Species Counterpoint	20%	n/a
Music Composition	Fourth-Species Counterpoint	20%	n/a
Music Composition	Fifth-Species Counterpoint	20%	n/a

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

Harmony and Counterpoint
Permitted and prohibited melodic and harmonic intervals; consonance and dissonance; types of harmonic motion (parallel, similar, oblique, contrary); types of non-harmony notes (passing notes, suspensions, neighbour notes); modal counterpoint; chromatic inflections at cadences; stylistic features of Renaissance counterpoint.

Indicative Reading List

Books:

Johann Joseph Fux, trans. Alfred Mann: 1960, ‘The Study of Counterpoint’, in Gradus ad Parnassum, Norton, London,
Stephen C. Stone: 2018, Music Theory and Composition: A Practical Approach, Rowman & Littlefield,

Articles:
None

Other Resources

None