This course surveys the diverse practices and trends in popular music since the 1960s.  It is designed to give an understanding of popular music history from the Beatles and early rock 'n' roll through to the major developments in music technology, the music industry, and the use of music in media that occurred in the 1990s and 2000s.  The course will consider trends in popular music, but also look in detail at a number of case studies.

 No musical training is required other than an appreciative and receptive ear and an open mind. By listening to, discussing and reflecting on selected songs and placing them in their social and cultural context, students will gain some insight into the meaning and musical development of these songs and the philosophies of the artists who created them.  In addition students will have the option to explore some of these issues creatively, with the composition of a song or part of a song that illustrates their understanding of the concepts traversed in the course.

 By the end of the course, you should be able to:

1. describe the interrelationship between music and drama from several theoretical perspectives;
2. apply these theoretical pespectives to a number of specific musical cases;
3. demonstrate listening skills developed through the study and discussion of selected works.
4. demonstrate research, analysis, discussion and writing skills.
5. demonstrate skills in song writing and popular music composition

• One research essay or multimedia equivalent - 2,500 words or equivalent (40%), [Learning Outcomes 1-5]
• One compositional exercise, OR one analytic exercise (30%), [Learning Outcomes 3-5]
• Weekly engagement exercises (30%), [Learning Outcomes 1-2]

3 hours contact per week; a total of 120 hours learning time.  These are spread flexibly across the semester in a mixture of lectures, tutorials and online activities - there will not necessarily be a lecture and tutorial in every week.

None

None