Module Catalogue 2024/25

Pre Requisite Comment

N/A

Co Requisite Comment

N/A

Aims

- To develop students’ critical understanding of the relationship between music and politics
- To introduce students to political theories and their application to the study and practice of music and the musical career.
- To explore the relationship between music and the political contexts within which it is made (city, nation state and international relations)
- To examine examples of specific policies that have been enacted with reference to the production, distribution and reception of music
- To enable students to respond critically and analytically to current developments in the political landscape as they affect the production, performance and reception of music
- To introduce students to the ways in which music research intersects with political concerns and to develop their primary research skills.
- To introduce students to the practical research and analytical methods necessary for interacting with the policy sphere.
- To improve student communication, research and critical thinking skills.

Outline Of Syllabus

The course develops an understanding of key concepts from Popular Music Studies through the lens of political analyses, beginning with an introduction to key discourses and an examination of music’s relationship to social movements. It introduces students to the ways in which policymaking affects, and intersects with, music provision and music research. Case-studies of key interactions in the 20th and 21st centuries between musical activity and the state political align with a discussion of the relationships and tensions between conceptions of music as a cultural asset and as an economic asset. These are set against an introduction to the broader mechanisms of the nation state and the regulatory and funding contexts of musical production and reception. Indicative topics include: music censorship, live music and the law, music and urban development, musical identities in rural economies, copyright, the regulation of ticketing, music tourism, music and election campaigns.

Case studies of previous and current research projects investigating music and politics will introduce students to the latest developments in the field. Historical and current legislative developments are discussed in relation to their effect on the production, aesthetic and reception of music in the UK and internationally.

Students will discover:

- How to critically evaluate the political context of music making from a range of theoretical and practical perspectives.
- The relationship between political discourse and music production, performance and reception
- An understanding of the evolution of music’s legislative context (particularly in the U.K)
- How civic, national and international bodies affect musical practice, movements and careers
- The different types of research method used to investigate and shape the relationship between music and politics.

Intended Knowledge Outcomes

Students will gain an increased awareness and understanding of:
• The broad political and party political contexts of music
• The effect of party politics and state organisations on music as both an industry and art form as well as the effects of legislation on musical practice and freedom of expression.
• The ideologies of musicians and the music industries.
• The relationships between music and ideological debates (dissent, political movements, market forces and state funding)
• The specific political and legislative mechanisms that affect music and cultural provision in the U.K and internationally.
• Increased insight into the research culture in Popular Music Studies, the creative industries and humanities research more widely and how they interact with the surrounding music industries and political culture.
• The organisations and bodies – in the UK and elsewhere - that interact with musicians and political concerns from lobby groups through trade bodies to statutory bodies, and how these pertain to the musical practice and research.

Intended Skill Outcomes

Students will develop skills in:
• Sourcing primary information and data pertinent to music and politics (e.g. policy documents, Hansard, databases, relevant media texts)
• Critical analysis of primary sources (surveys, interviews, news items)
• Analysing and synthesizing academic and non-academic research
• Conducting and presenting primary research in the field (e.g. interview techniques, survey design)

This will prepare students for the practical skills necessary for postgraduate research and the practical skills required in the workplace.

Teaching Rationale And Relationship

Lecture materials provide an introduction to key critical concepts, historical materials and current debates illustrated by examples. Weekly set readings support the case-studies for each topic.

Lecture's also introduce students to examples of research into the relationships between music and politics, to key research methods and their application to different aspects of, and stakeholders in, music and politics.

Independent reading and research by students involves reflecting on primary sources to develop a rich knowledge of the field and working with sources to understand their practical application for both researchers and musicians.

Seminars provide a forum for developing in-depth discussion between students and with the module leader of the concepts and case-studies covered in the lectures and reading.

Drop in surgeries provide a space for students to formulate and discuss their essay/research project topics and develop appropriate methodologies.

Assessment Rationale And Relationship

• The first written exercise assessment tests students’ understanding of the skills need to develop a larger project and guides students towards appropriate topics and methods for the main essay/report assessment with the opportunity to develop a topic in response to feedback

• The essay/report tests critical analysis of thematic elements and ability to apply the political concepts examined over the course to specific examples. It tests students’ ability to select appropriate materials and methods and bring them to bear upon the chosen topic.

General Notes

N/A