Module: Musicological Research

Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title	Musicological Research
Module Code	MPA1047 (ITS: MC306)
Faculty	Theology, Philosophy & Music	School	Humanities & Social Sciences
NFQ level	8	Credit Rating	5

Description

The purpose of this module is to engage students with a range of approaches to musicological research drawn from humanities and social science perspectives. Students are introducted to philosophies and methodologies pertinent to the variable subject matter of musicological research by way of a series of research seminars. They become acquainted with the skills required to prepare a complete a short project in musicological research / extended essay, and complete this work under the supervision of designated tutors.

Learning Outcomes

1. Be acquainted with a range of approaches to and skills applicable to musicological research
2. Be able to identify relevant primary and secondary sources in carrying out individual projects
3. Understand and be able to carry out a music-related ethnography and/or other forms of data collection and analysis
4. Demonstrate capacity to participate in music research seminars
5. Prepare a project proposal, give a presentation on ongoing research and complete an extended essay or project.

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full time hours per semester
Workshop	6	Research methods workshops
Seminars	10	Research seminar series
Fieldwork	30	Textual analysis and/or fieldwork
Independent Study	79	Independent Learning
Total Workload: 125

Section Breakdown
CRN	11161	Part of Term	Semester 1 & 2
Coursework	0%	Examination Weight	0%
Grade Scale	40PASS	Pass Both Elements	Y
Resit Category	RC1	Best Mark	N
Module Co-ordinator	Patricia Flynn	Module Teacher

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assessment Breakdown
Presentation	Short presentation on research-in-progress	10%	n/a
Project	Extended Essay or Project (Ethnography)	90%	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

Research Methods
Areas of musicological research; approaches drawn from Humanities and Social Sciences; philosophies and methodologies

Research methods for musical analysis, historical musicology, cultural studies of music and music ethnography;

Primary and secondary sources for musicological studies; literature and data in music studies

Designing a research proposal

Research Seminar Series
The series will comprise moderated seminars on ongoing research in various areas of musicology presented by faculty, postgraduate students and guest lectureres

Supervision of extended essay or project
One-to-one meetings with designated tutors which are structured around students’ draft submissions in preparation for research presentation and completion of extended essay or project.

Indicative Reading List

Books:

Bunce, Lincoln: 1980, Historical musicology: a reference manual for research in music, Greenwood Press, Westport, Conn,
Clarke, Eric and Cook, Nicholas: 2004, Empirical Musicology: Aims, Methods, Prospects, Oxford University Press, New York,
Davidson, Jane: 2004, The music practitioner: research for the music performer, teacher and listener, Ashgate, Aldershot, Hants,
Deliège, Irène; Wiggins, Geraint A: 2006, Musical creativity: multidisciplinary research in theory and practice, Psychology Press, New York,
Krüger, Simone: 2008, Ethnography in the Performing Arts: A Student Guide, The Higher Education Academy / Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool,
Scott, Derek (ed.): 2009, The Ashgate research companion to popular musicology, Ashgate, Farnham, Surrey ; Burlington, VT,
Vallely, Fintan (ed.): 2011, The Companion to Irish Traditional Music, 2nd ed., Cork University Press,
White, Harry and Boydell, Barra: 2013, The Encyclopaedia of Music in Ireland, UCD Press, Dublin,

Articles:
None

Other Resources

0: Royal Musical Association Research chronicle,
2001: The New Grove dictionary of music and musicians, London, Macmillan Reference,