Programme/Approved Electives for 2020/21
None
Available as a Free Standing Elective
Yes
The module encompasses history and aesthetics of electroacoustic music and sonic arts since the earliest developments post-1945 up to the most current creative directions in sound-as-art, installation art, sonic sculpture, interactive systems, and sound design. It also tracks parallel developments and the application of related techniques in popular music of the same period.It explores the origins of the topics and examines the substantial range of forms offering a broader historical, cultural and artistic background. In addition to lectures, listening sessions are incorporated during which selected works are played. These sessions are followed by discussions concentrating on aspects of techniques, materials, structures and form. Such analytical enquiry is an indispensable introduction to the range of languages used by composers, sound and audiovisual artists in the last fifty years.This module will provide students both with and without a background in Music and Music Technology with a solid base for understanding and further study of the practical aspects and techniques of electroacoustic, audio-visual, and interactive creation. On successful completion of this unit, students should be able to understand, analyse, and write on electro-acoustic and audio-visual composition, sonic arts, interactive composition and other creative forms.
Aims
To establish a common historical and aesthetic base for future practical modules focused on the creative application of audio technologies
Intended Learning Outcomes
recognise and describe important cultural and aesthetic issues relating to twentieth-century art and popular music in the context of music technology; will be achieved by assessments: 1identify and demonstrate familiarity with repertoire relevant to music technology as well as well as practices involved in their creation, including graphic notation; communicate aural and analytical skills in order to assess the properties and the potentials of sound; will be achieved by assessments: 2,3recognise basic idiomatic characteristic of given pieces from the Sonic Art repertoire; demonstrate familiarity with compositional techniques; demonstrate knowledge of analytical techniques including use of appropriate notational symbols. will be achieved by assessments: 2,3
11 hours of tutorials/seminars 11 hours of lectures24 hours of reflection, revision and consolidation of lecture content, research through bibliographical and computer mediated sources through individual or group study work20 hours of listening (recommended works from the repertoire), reflection and revision of aesthetic, historical and technical aspects based on lecture content, bibliographical and computer mediated sources35 hours of preparation and completion of coursework49 hours of preparation and completion of summative assessment (analytical essay, coursework)
Description of Module Assessment
1: Essay weighted 60%EssayAnalysis/review of one or more works from the selected repertoire (1,500 words).
2: Coursework weighted 20%Coursework 1Answers to given questions regarding one or more works from the selected repertoire; techniques of notation (e.g. graphic scores) or hardware/software (1000 words equivalent).
3: Coursework weighted 20%Coursework 2Answers to given questions regarding one or more works from the selected repertoire; techniques of notation (e.g. graphic scores) or hardware/software (1000 words equivalent).