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Alternative Perspectives: Interdisciplinary Ideas about Performance - MUS00040C

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  • Department: Music
  • Module co-ordinator: Dr. Alice Masterson
  • Credit value: 20 credits
  • Credit level: C
  • Academic year of delivery: 2022-23

Module summary

This module will explore how music performance relates to other forms of performance. Music performance will be set in context as part of a wider phenomenon of performance in everyday life.

Module will run

Occurrence Teaching period
A Autumn Term 2022-23

Module aims

This project will explore how music performance is part of a wider phenomenon of performance in everyday life and ritual. It will draw on theories that originated outside musicology, and will focus on key ideas from performance studies, a discipline that grew out of a combination of theatre studies and anthropology. Selected theatre theory will also be examined and applied to performances involving music. In this way, students will be encouraged to

  • consider performance from new angles
  • think about the wider social contexts of music performance
  • examine their own modes of performance critically

Module learning outcomes

On completion of the project, all students should

  • understand how music studies can intersect with interdisciplinary performance theory
  • demonstrate familiarity with a number of performance studies theories
  • have acquired the knowledge to apply performance theory to music
  • have gained the critical distance necessary to reflect on their own performance of music

In their independent work, first-year students should demonstrate Learning Outcomes A1-6

Assessment

Task Length % of module mark
Essay/coursework
Essay		 N/A 100

Special assessment rules

None

Reassessment

Task Length % of module mark
Essay/coursework
Essay		 N/A 100

Module feedback

Report form, with marks to student no later than 6 weeks from submission of assessment

Indicative reading

Schechner, Richard. Performance Studies: An Introduction. London and New York: Routledge, 2002.

Cook, Nicholas. Between Process and Product: Music and/as Performance, Music Theory Online 7/2 (April 2001).



Auslander, Philip. Musical Personae, The Drama Review 50/1 (Spring 2006), 100-119.

Auslander, Philip. Liveness. Performance in a Mediatized Culture. London and New York: Routledge, 1999.

Davis, Tracy C. The Cambridge Companion to Performance Studies. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2008.

Counsell, Colin and Laurie Wolf, eds. Performance Analysis. Abingdon and New York: Routledge, 2001.


The information on this page is indicative of the module that is currently on offer. The University is constantly exploring ways to enhance and improve its degree programmes and therefore reserves the right to make variations to the content and method of delivery of modules, and to discontinue modules, if such action is reasonably considered to be necessary by the University. Where appropriate, the University will notify and consult with affected students in advance about any changes that are required in line with the University's policy on the Approval of Modifications to Existing Taught Programmes of Study.