MUS3390 - Music Aesthetics, Criticism, Sociology and Psychology

Leader: Joel Crotty

Offered

Clayton First semester 2007 (Day)

Synopsis

Judgements about music and musical activities are based on aesthetic presuppositions. The subject deals with the history and theory of music aesthetics and the history, theory and practice of music criticism, sociology and psychology. Issues discussed include music as text and work of art; value, greatness and genius; affection, formalism, program music, musical forgery, phenomenology of music, postmodern music aesthetics, perception and cognition of experimental music, and the 'styles of the future'.

Objectives

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should have a basic knowledge of the main issues in history of music and aesthetics, criticism, sociology and psychology and their interdisciplinary relationships and an understanding of how to write about and orally discuss, in a cogent manner, what music is and what it means.

Assessment

Written (2000 words): 40%
Examinations (2 hours): 40%
Exercises (500 words): 20%

Contact hours

2 hours (1 x 0.5 hour lecture and 1 x 1.5 hour seminar) per week

Prerequisites

MUS2110 and MUS2120