Musical Revolutions (W3032)

15 credits, Level 5

Spring teaching

On this module, you'll explore the radical explosion of ideas between 1890 and 1970 that gave rise to counter-cultures challenging the authority of the 'classical' in music. You'll study paradigm shifts in musical thinking and experimentation, examining new approaches to modernism.

Key topics include:

• the works of Debussy, Reich, Alice Coltrane, and Kaija Saariaho in their social, historical and political contexts
• modernism's estrangement from traditional concert audiences
• composers' responses to mass popular culture
• the impact of electronic and digital technology.

 

Contact hours and workload

This module is approximately 150 hours of work. This breaks down into about 22 hours of contact time and about 128 hours of independent study. The University may make minor variations to the contact hours for operational reasons, including timetabling requirements.

We regularly review our modules to incorporate student feedback, staff expertise, as well as the latest research and teaching methodology. We’re planning to run these modules in the academic year 2024/25. However, there may be changes to these modules in response to feedback, staff availability, student demand or updates to our curriculum.

We’ll make sure to let you know of any material changes to modules at the earliest opportunity.