To explore music's relationship with film and establish the soundtrack's central role in our interpretation of key elements of this artistic medium.
To investigate the practicalities of film music composition.
To engage theoretically with audio-visual modes of discourse.
To use key theories and ideologies within the field of film music scholarship as a basis for the critical analysis of film sound and music.
To set a fundamental understanding of the film soundtrack that allows for the further investigation of other components within audio-visual media (such as television, music videos, youtube, videogames).

(LO1) The ability to read and discuss key texts in a critical and comparative manner

(LO2) The ability to apply an interdisciplinary approach to the study of music in audio-visual media

(LO3) The ability to discuss, together, music/sound, image, and narrative

(LO4) The ability to utilise appropriate theoretical frameworks in the critical analysis of audio-visual media

(S1) Critical thinking and problem solving - Synthesis

(S2) Critical thinking and problem solving - Creative thinking

(S3) Critical thinking and problem solving - Critical analysis

(S4) Critical thinking and problem solving - Evaluation

(S5) Communication (oral, written and visual) - Presentation skills - written

(S6) Communication (oral, written and visual) - Media analysis

(S7) Communication (oral, written and visual) - Listening skills

The module is split into three sections.

The first five weeks (One - Five) of the course charts the historical developments in the role of sound and music in mainstream Hollywood cinema, allowing the students to gain an understanding of the fundamental elements of the narrative film soundtrack. These classes will pinpoint key practitioners and films in early cinematic sound, as well as key research in the early life of film music scholarship. The next five weeks (Six - Ten) map key concepts and debates in film sound and music scholarship. These classes will explore how these concepts manifest in a variety of films from across the Hollywood model. They will focus on some of the most important contemporary composers and film soundtracks. Week Eleven explores sound and music in videogames. This is to both highlight the soundtrack's changing purpose in audio-visual media more generally and to contrast, and therefore solidify, the central arguments made about the role of sound and music in narrative cinema in previous weeks. Week Twelve is a revision week. It offers students the chance to workshop questions in a group environment for the exam, and to clarify any conceptual issues that may still exist.

Where possible, all resources will be available through VITAL. Additional resources will also be available on VITAL.

Students will be expected (in addition to attending core sessions) to read texts as directed, to watch films or other media clips as directed, and to engage with online materials, activities and formative tasks.

Lecture - The presentation of core material for the module.

Lectures will be a mix of a set presentation and formed discussions, in which students are expected to offer small contributions. These classes will proffer the main ideas, discussions, and concepts at the centre of the course. They will act as the main drive behind Musi170. These classes will be the culmination of the week's readings, seminars, films etc. as well as outlining the materials for the upcoming week.
Attendance Recorded: Yes

Seminars - Group discussions of concepts, ideas, readings, films etc.

Students will be assigned a reading, film, and film soundtrack in each lecture. These classes will be times in which smaller groups will be able to openly discuss the ideas and issues that arise from those materials. They will also be a chance for these smaller groups to question or query issues that may arise from lectures or screenings. These classes are informal and will be led by student dis cussions.
Attendance Recorded: Yes

Screenings/Workshops - Introduce main objects of study.

These screenings/workshops will offer the students a chance to watch and discuss the concepts proffered in the lectures. They will also offer a chance to see those various ideas and arguments from the lectures or seminars fit together in one single work. These films will be useful in answering questions in the exam or kickstarting ideas for the essay.
Attendance Recorded: Yes

Additional Elements - Readings, Soundtracks, Podcasts and Documentaries.

The module will also offer a collection of additional material that supports the students' quantitative knowledge. These will not be mandatory, but will help students in building a comprehensive understanding of the fields of audio-visual research and film music scholarship, and in their preparations for their essay and exam.

Self-Directed Learning - Primarily preparing for assessment (Essay and Exam).