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 audiovisual 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 audiovisual 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 audiovisual media

(LO3) The ability to discuss the interactions of music/sound, image and narrative and their influences on each other.

(LO4) The ability to utilise appropriate theoretical frameworks in the critical analysis of audiovisual 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 covers historical, technological, and aesthetic developments in the role of sound and music in media from mainstream Hollywood cinema to video games and music on the internet. Students will gain an understanding of the fundamental elements of narrative and non-narrative film soundtracks, from key practitioners and films in early cinematic sound to concepts and debates in film sound and music scholarship. Questions of genre, style, international markets, representation, and more will be addressed. The soundtrack's changing purpose in audiovisual media will also be highlighted. The final week or two (depending on term structure) will be reserved for revision week, to offer students the chance to workshop questions for the assessment, and to clarify any conceptual issues that may still exist.

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 mater ials, 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 - Introduce main objects of study. Due to the difficulty of timetabling screenings that fit with every registered student’s schedule in one window, screenings are to be done independently unless one window of time can be found.

These screenings 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/clips will be useful in answering questions in the exam or kickstarting ideas for the essay.

Additional Elements - Readings, Soundtracks, Podcasts and Documentaries.

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

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