Module:

Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

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Module Title
Module Code	(ITS: MC500)
Faculty		School
NFQ level		Credit Rating

Description

In this module, students will participate in a series of research seminars, and will complete a substantial piece of written work, appropriate to a Level 9 programme, under the guidance of an assigned supervisor. Seminars will explore research methodologies, research skills, and academic writing. The written work will consist of either a) a thesis of 15,000 words, or b) a portfolio of compositions accompanied by a written document. The thesis topic may be drawn from any suitable area of Choral Studies, and must be agreed with the supervisor. The portfolio of compositions will normally consist of 15–20 minutes of original music, both accompanied and unaccompanied, encompassing a range of voicings and difficulty levels, with the exact specifications to be decided in consultation with the supervisor. The portfolio should be presented to a professional standard and should normally be accompanied by recordings of the pieces. The standard of presentation of the written commentary (2000–3000 words) should be commensurate with that of the thesis.

Learning Outcomes

1. Demonstrate advanced research skills, and apply research methodologies to various contexts.
2. Assimilate and evaluate information from primary and secondary sources, and articulate insightful points of view based on critical readings.
3. Draw on a wide range of scholarly sources, databases, and musical materials relevant to Choral Studies.
4. Write in a critical, academic style appropriate to the level and the research area.
5. Compose original music for a range of vocal ensembles, articulate the work’s contribution to knowledge in the discipline, and present such compositions at a high standard of notation.
6. Progress to further research activities such as doctoral studies

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full time hours per semester
Seminars	6	Attendance at seminars exploring a range of research approaches relevant to Choral Studies
Seminars	4	Consultations with assigned supervisor
Independent Study	740	Research activities relevant to the specific subject area of the thesis, including but not limited to reading; music listening; score study, composition of choral music; preparation, use, and analysis of surveys; interviews; collection and analysis of data; other tasks related to qualitative and quantitative research approaches; sourcing documentation; implementing feedback from supervisor; drafting and redrafting written work and compositional work
Total Workload: 750

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assessment Breakdown
Thesis	Written Thesis OR Portfolio of Compositions with Commentary	100%	Sem 2 End

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

1
Approaches to research; research methodologies

2
Academic writing; using the MHRA style guide

3
Consultations with assigned supervisor

4
Independent research appropriate to the selected research topic

5
Original composition for choirs

6
Advanced notation practices

Indicative Reading List

Books:

Alwes, Chester Lee: 2015, A History of Western Choral Music (2 vols), 4th edn, Oxford University Press,
Anderson, Jonathan and Millicent Poole: 2001, Assignment and Thesis Writing, Wiley,
Beard, David, and Kenneth Gloag: 2005, Musicology: The Key Concepts, Routledge,
Cope, David: 1997, Techniques of the Contemporary Composer, Wadsworth,
Cowell, Richard (ed.): 2001, MENC Handbook of Research Methodologies, Oxford University Press,
De Quadros, André: 0, The Cambridge Companion to Choral Music, Cambridge University Press,
Dogantan-Dack, Mine (ed.): 2015, Artistic Practice as Research in Music: Theory, Criticism, Practice, Ashgate,
Duckles, Vincent, and Ida Reed: 0, Music Reference and Research Materials, Schirmer,
Ewans, Michael, Rosalind Halton, and John Phillips (eds.): 2004, Music Research: New Directions for a New Century, Cambridge Scholars,
Gould, Elaine: 2011, Behind Bars: The Definitive Guide to Music Notation, Faber,
Henson, Blake, and Gerald Custer: 2013, The Composer’s Craft, GIA,
Herbert, Trevor: 2012, Music in Words: A Guide to Researching and Writing about Music, Oxford University Press,
Hines, Robert Stephan: 2001, Choral Composition: A Handbook for Composers, Arrangers, Conductors, and Singers, Greenwood,
Lee, Sang-hie: 2017, Scholarly Research for Musicians, Routledge,
Richardson, Brian (ed.): 2013, MHRA Style Guide, 3rd edn, Modern Humanities Research Association,
Ritter, Robert: 2002, The Oxford Guide to Style, Oxford University Press,
Sadie, Stanley, and John Tyrrell: 2001, The New Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians (29 vols.), Macmaillan,
Sampsel, Laura: 2012, Music Research: A Handbook, 2nd edn, Oxford University Press,
Sharp, Avery T.: 2002, Choral Music: A Research and Information Guide, Routledge,
Shrock, Dennis: 2009, Choral Repertoire, Oxford University Press,
Strimple, Nick: 2002, Choral Music in the Twentieth Century, Hal Leonard,
Turabian, Kate: 2013, A Manual for Writers of Research Papers, Theses and Dissertations, University of Chicago Press,
Unger, Melvin P.: 2010, Historical Dictionary of Choral Music, Scarecrow,
Warburton, Annie: 1981, Melody Writing and Analysis, Longman,
White, Harry, and Barra Boydell (eds.): 2013, The Encyclopaedia of Music in Ireland, UCD Press,

Articles:

Stacey, Peter F.: 1989, Towards the Analysis of the Relationship of Music and Text in Contemporary Composition, Contemporary Music Review, Vol. 5, no. 1,

Other Resources

Online Database: Connected Papers, https://www.connectedpapers.com/