THE UNIVERSITY of EDINBURGH

DEGREE REGULATIONS & PROGRAMMES OF STUDY 2016/2017

University Homepage
DRPS Homepage
DRPS Search
DRPS Contact
DRPS : Course Catalogue : Edinburgh College of Art : Music

Undergraduate Course: Film Music to 1950 (MUSI10075)

Course Outline
SchoolEdinburgh College of Art CollegeCollege of Humanities and Social Science
Credit level (Normal year taken)SCQF Level 10 (Year 3 Undergraduate) AvailabilityAvailable to all students
SCQF Credits20 ECTS Credits10
SummaryThis course combines historical, theoretical and analytical approaches to the role of music in film up to the mid-twentieth century. The course is organized around a series of films and key readings, with each class focusing on a particular idea or issue, supported by suggestions for follow-up viewing, listening, and reading. Throughout the course, students will be encouraged to explore how the role of music in film may be viewed in political terms. Examples of class topics might include discussions of mainstream "classical" scoring, early experiments in synchronized sound, film scoring and the Second World War, film music and gender, the role(s) of song, film and music and the avant-garde.
Course description Each teaching block on the course has a different focus: block 1 - the silent era; block 2 - the synchronized sound era. The students will work towards a presentation in either the first or second block. In each block, there will be an exploration of historical context, incorporating a discussion of technology and economics as well as aesthetics, theoretical arguments (for or against film music, what film music 'should' aim to achieve etc.), and examples of analysis/interpretation. Each week's screening will form the basis of the lecture/seminar to follow. In relation to the silent era, students will have the opportunity to present practical work, which may then feed into their first assessed project. This might include an exploration of improvisation to silent film: whether historically informed, or based on current techniques and tools, and/or an exploration of producing sound effects to image/speaking to film. In the classes focused on the sound era, students will present on scholarly literature and/or analyses of particular film sequences.

Films will likely be drawn from the following list, but will also include examples from early one/two reel films, and examples of experimental shorts (both silent and sound): Way Down East (1920) Metropolis (1926), Applause (1929), King Kong (1933), 42nd Street (1933), Rebecca (1940) The Big Sleep (1946), The Red Shoes (1948), Scott of the Antarctic (1948).
Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
Pre-requisites It is RECOMMENDED that students have passed Music 2A: Music and Ideas from the Middle Ages to Viennese Classicism (MUSI08060) OR Music 2B: Music and Ideas from Romanticism to the Late Twentieth Century (MUSI08061) OR Composition 1 (MUSI08067)
Co-requisites
Prohibited Combinations Other requirements None
Information for Visiting Students
Pre-requisitesNone
High Demand Course? Yes
Course Delivery Information
Academic year 2016/17, Available to all students (SV1) Quota:  None
Course Start Semester 2
Timetable Timetable
Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) Total Hours: 200 ( Seminar/Tutorial Hours 20, External Visit Hours 20, Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 4, Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours 156 )
Assessment (Further Info) Written Exam 0 %, Coursework 90 %, Practical Exam 10 %
Additional Information (Assessment) 1. A project on music in the silent era (45%)
2. Essay on sound era (45%)
3. Presentation through course (10%)
Feedback Students will receive written feedback for the project, essay and presentation within 15 working days of the submission date.
No Exam Information
Learning Outcomes
A primary focus of this course is to enable students to develop an awareness and understanding of academic approaches to film music, drawing on both musicology and film studies. Students will be expected to discuss and analyse the use of music in films, drawing on a range of approaches. Students will thus develop analytical skills and critical awareness. Through study students will also develop research methods, the ability to read critically, the ability to evaluate arguments and articulate their conclusions in written and spoken presentations.
Students will familiarise themselves with a number of set films, which will form the basis of the classes. They will develop an awareness of the impact of technology and economics on the aesthetics of film music. They will also familiarise themselves with theoretical texts concerning film sound and music.
Reading List
None
Additional Information
Graduate Attributes and Skills Not entered
Additional Class Delivery Information 2-hour Seminar in weeks 1-5, 7-11.
2-hour Film Screening in weeks 1-5, 7-11.
KeywordsFilm Music history hstorical
Contacts
Course organiserDr Annette Davison
Tel: (0131 6)50 2426
Email: A.C.Davison@ed.ac.uk
Course secretaryMiss Carrie Lyall
Tel: (0131 6)50 2422
Email: Carrie.Lyall@ed.ac.uk
Navigation
Help & Information
Home
Introduction
Glossary
Search DPTs and Courses
Regulations
Regulations
Degree Programmes
Introduction
Browse DPTs
Courses
Introduction
Humanities and Social Science
Science and Engineering
Medicine and Veterinary Medicine
Other Information
Combined Course Timetable
Prospectuses
Important Information
 
© Copyright 2016 The University of Edinburgh - 3 February 2017 4:48 am