Study-Unit Description

Study-Unit Description


CODE MSP3113

 
TITLE Music in Community

 
UM LEVEL 03 - Years 2, 3, 4 in Modular Undergraduate Course

 
MQF LEVEL 6

 
ECTS CREDITS 4

 
DEPARTMENT Music Studies

 
DESCRIPTION This study-unit examines the interesting facet of community music-making. It examines the historical, and political rationale for taking music in the community, and the social and cultural benefits for doing so. It delves into the practical side of music in the community and explores the meaning of 'community musician'. The unit also investigates the practical, creative and evaluative skills needed to devise projects to create and perform artistic events.

It also explores current practices which are in in some way or another affected by international networks.

Study-unit Aims:

a) To explore the context and function of music-making in the community;
b) To develop practical skills and contribute to a real-life community project;
c) To assist students in understanding the cultural and political values, educational policies, and geographic issues that mould music and the arts in the community;
d) To investigate the more traditional forms of participatory music-making, such as folk, local bands, local and national festivals and other events.

Learning Outcomes:

1. Knowledge & Understanding
By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to:

a) discuss the context and purpose of community music-making, including practitioners and organisations;
b) recognise the links between culture, politics and identity as the fulcrum of music-making of a society;
c) adopt a participative attitude to engage in community-based activities.

2. Skills
By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to:

a) lead practical music-making activities;
b) plan and participate in a community music-making project for a specific community group ('client group') and venue (including street performances);
c) monitor, evaluate and a community music-making project from a cultural, traditional, and political stand.

Main Text/s and any supplementary readings:

Main Text:

- Higgins, Lee. 2012. Community Music: In Theory and in Practice (New York: Oxford University Press).
- Leak, Graeme. 2003. Performance Making: A Manual Workshops (Redfern, New South Wales:Currency Press).
- Kenny, Ailbhe. 2016. Communities of Musical Practice (New York: Routledge).

 
ADDITIONAL NOTES Pre-Requisite qualifications: Intermediate-Level Music (or above) or Grade 6 music theory/practice (or above)

 
STUDY-UNIT TYPE Lecture and Fieldwork

 
METHOD OF ASSESSMENT
Assessment Component/s Assessment Due Sept. Asst Session Weighting
Classwork SEM1 No 20%
Fieldwork SEM1 Yes 20%
Project SEM1 Yes 60%

 
LECTURER/S Mariella Cassar

 

 
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Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice.
It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2023/4. It may be subject to change in subsequent years.

https://www.um.edu.mt/course/studyunit