Table of contents

The course is connected to the following study programs

Prerequisites

It is a requirement that the PhD candidate has acquired prerequisite knowledge within performing/creative music, musicology, music education or the equivalent at master’s level. Candidates with a master’s degree in cross-aesthetic study programmes (aesthetics, arts subjects and so on) must be able to document relevant subject-specific in-depth knowledge in music equivalent to at least 30 credits at master’s level.

Recommended previous knowledge

A mixed educational background with academic, performing/creative and didactic components will be an advantage, but this is not a formal requirement.

Learning outcomes

After completing the course, the candidates should be able to:

  • Reflect on musical practice from an artistic, societal, and aesthetic perspective
  • Conduct research in the intersection between these perspectives, as well as exercise critique and innovation
  • Communicate their knowledge and understanding in various contexts

Contents

Music in Context presents how music enters into a range of different contexts. The course focuses on musical production, interpretation, communication, reception, as well as muscial participation and civic engagement.

Questions about music’s application in cross-aesthetic settings, in different contexts, and with different purposes, as well as the relationship between "artist", "work", and "audience" are addressed in a critical fashion. An introduction to the relational character of music is studied with regard to new points of access to practice and the interpretation of musical practice. The course takes as its point of departure concrete questions which are put forward in the candidates’ PhD projects and recent musicological theory.

Teaching and learning methods

The teaching will be organised into two to four gatherings with lectures, seminars or workshops at which papers or artistic works will be presented and commented upon by the participants. The course will, to as large a degree as possible, be tailored to the candidates’ PhD projects. This applies not only to content, but also to working forms.

Examination requirements

  • The candidates shall hold a prepared oral presentation of the outline at one of the gatherings.
  • The candidates shall provide a prepared commentary to another PhD candidate’s presentation during the course.

Examinations

  • The candidate gives a presentation of about 30 minutes that connects issues from teaching and the course syllabus to their own Ph.D. project. (In special cases, a shorter or longer presentation can be agreed upon.) The presentation may also take the form of a digital and/or multimodal presentation of equivalent scope. For candidates with a combined artistic-scientific dissertation, the candidate is encouraged to include performative/creative work in the presentation.
  • No later than one week before the examination presentation, the candidate must submit a synopsis of about 5 pages. Complete references and a bibliography are to be included in addition.
  • The presentation is followed by a conversation of about 15 minutes with the committee.

If the examination is assessed as a fail, a reason will be provided for this, as well as advice regarding improvements and a new date for the presentation.

Assessed with the grade: pass/fail.

Student evaluation

The person responsible for the course, in consultation with the student representative, decides the method of evaluation and whether the courses will have a midterm- or end of term evaluation, see also the Quality System, section 4.1. Information about evaluation method for the course will be posted on Canvas.

Offered as a free-standing course

Yes.
Last updated from FS (Felles studentsystem) Oct. 15, 2026 2:30:05 PM