HSY2655

Troubadours and Street-Singers: Music and Popular Culture 1100-1600

(ART)

Carol Williams

8 points + First Semester + Clayton + 2 lectures and 1 tutorial per week + Prerequisites: First year sequence in arts, preferably HSY1010/1020, VSA1010/1020 or MUS1010/1020 + Students taking this subject as part of a history minor or major will require a first year sequence in history

Synopsis: Song is one of the most important and direct transmitters of European history and culture. This subject explores its development, seeing it as an essentially urban phenomenon, with origins in the medieval courts, colleges, cities, and churches. It examines sung verse and melodies of 12th century trouveres and troubadours, which are subtle and highly organised products of an aristocratic society and covers a range of songs, ending with the carnival song and the performance property of the street singer in 15th century Florence. Often, these songs are satirical or obscene in character and the titles of the songs effectively portray the vigour and excitement of life in 15th century Florence.

Assessment: Exercise (1500 words): 20% + Essay (2500 words): 40% + Examination (2 hours): 40%