Key cultural terms and concepts. Exploration of cultural theorists and musicologists such as (but not exclusively):
Adorno, Benjamin, Marcuse, Hall, Whitely, O’Brien, Street, Garratt, Shuker, Frith, Leonard, Denora, Middleton, Hebdidge, Stokes, Chomsky, Scruton. Globalisation and its affects upon music, Nationalism, Subcultures, Social and Economic influences upon music genres, Ethnicity, gender and sexuality within music.

Cultural Analysis Essay – students will write an essay from a pre-defined set of questions which will encourage them to explore a specific area of music of their choice and utilise the cultural theories which have been discussed in order to interrogate, explain and contextualise how the creation of their chosen music has influenced and been influenced by society at large.

The module will be taught through lectures, seminars, readings and discussion.

1. Identify and confidently utilise appropriate research methodologies and research sources for specified tasks. Application, Enquiry

2. Adapt key cultural theories and use concepts and vocabulary as relevant to the study of music. Learning, Analysis

3. Critically analyse and comment upon the influence of societal conditions upon music creation and consumption. Analysis, Enquiry

4. Describe and comment on the effect music has upon contemporary society. Communication

Library resources.

Cottrell, S, (2017) Critical Thinking Skills: Developing Effective Analysis and Argument (3rd Ed.), Palgrave Macmillan.

Manning, A, Wilding, E, (2007) Seminars and Tutorials: University Foundation Study Course Book, Garnet Education.

Barker, C, Emma, A, (2016) Cultural Studies: Theory and Practice (5th Ed.), SAGE Publications.

Storey, J, (2018) Cultural Theory & Popular Culture (8th Ed.), Routledge.

Clayton, M, (2012) The Cultural Study of Music (2nd Ed.), Routledge.

Shepherd, J, (2015) The Routledge Reader on the Sociology of Music, Routledge.

Do you want to really get to grips with how music and society intersect and build your understanding and vocabulary to better talk about it? This module will help you understand the basics of cultural theory and use that to develop a greater understanding of where music fits in the world around us.