Musicological theory and method

• have a comprehensive understanding of popular music as a complex artistic and social phenomenon
• have a comprehensive understanding of musicological theories and methods
• have general knowledge of popular music research as a complex and ramified field of study
• have the ability to position their own research interests within the field of musicological traditions and to link their masters project to relevant discourses
• be able to choose and apply analytical tools that are relevant for their own master`s project
• be able to use academic terminology correctly
• be able to analyse phenomena in the field of popular music (including sound, culture, performance, technology and industry) with the aid of the most recent research methods
• be able to raise relevant and innovative research questions, and thereby gain a voice within the scientific community
• be able to contribute to academic discourses and argue offensively, confidently and critically

Musicological theory and method intends to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the principles of musicological research as well as metodological approaches, and also fundamental issues of the philosophy of music and aesthetics. The student should be able to discuss relevant research questions and utilise scientific-theoretical argumentation on popular music as a phenomenon.

Central topics

• principles of musicological research: traditions, schools, analytical and methodological approaches
• fundamental issues of the philosophy of music and aesthetics
• analytical models relevant to popular music as a sonic phenomenon, the cultural use of popular music, trails of globalisation, popular music in different cultural contexts, popular music as an historical process, popular music as an industry, technological frameworks, performance studies, sound studies
• methodological foundations of empirical research, historiography, sociology of music and ethnomusicology
• current fields of research in arts and humanities and their relevance for musicological studies
• academic writing

 Instruction will be given as group lectures and group work

Attendance is mandatory

Estimated student workload in this course is 27 hours per ECTS credits.

A written individual examination to be completed and delivered within 14 days

The scope of the topic is expected to be between 10 and 15 pages

Assessed with the grades A-F