MUS4601 – Popular Music Analysis

Course content

The course will provide an insight into cultural-theoretical perspectives, models for music analysis, gender and identity theory, and a framework for interpreting groove, sound and production.

Learning outcome

An insight into various approaches to the analysis of popular music; a knowledge of some of the central concepts within popular music research; an ability to apply analytical models across styles and genres; skills in written and oral representation.

Admission

Students who are admitted to study programmes at UiO must each semester register which courses and exams they wish to sign up for in Studentweb.

If you are not already enrolled as a student at UiO, please see our information about admission requirements and procedures.

Prerequisites

Formal prerequisite knowledge

The following modules are required for access to the course: MUS1300 – Verdensmusikk (discontinued) (World Music) and MUS1500 – Jazz, pop and rock (discontinued) (Jazz, pop and rock)

Teaching

There are 8 double hourly lectures and 12 hours of obligatory seminars. Students enrolled in MUS2601 – Popular Music Analysis (discontinued) and MUS4601 – Popular Music Analysis (discontinued) take all lectures and seminars jointly. The course tutors prior to the exam should approve an obligatory seminar presentation.

Examination

An assignment of 20 pages (2300 characters per page, not including spacing) should be delivered within a given deadline at the end of the semester. This should represent an independent account of issues pertaining to the field of popular music studies. The title and topic is chosen by the student in consultation with the course tutor(s).

Grading scale

Grades are awarded on a scale from A to F, where A is the best grade and F is a fail. Read more about the grading system.

Special examination arrangements

Application form, deadline and requirements for special examination arrangements.

Facts about this course

Credits
20
Level
Master
Teaching
Every autumn
Examination
Every autumn
Teaching language

This course may be given in English if requested by a sufficient number of exchange students.