Music of the Manuscript Tradition

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2010:

Through studies of selected medieval manuscript sources, students will develop their own understanding of the nature, the role, and the functions of music in selected areas of European society in the 12th to 14th centuries. Students will engage in a directed exploration of the processes of gathering materials and manuscript compilation, the relevant notation and scribal practices, illumination and decoration. Students will also make critical studies of the repertoire contained in each manuscript and its sociocultural context, performance issues, relevant theoretical writings, and contemporary scholarship.

On completion of this subject, students should have developed:

• an understanding of the nature, role, and functions of music in medieval European society and the processes of manuscript compilation
• critical skills to assist them evaluating music, musical sources and contemporary writings on music in their socio-cultural context.

Two project reports due in weeks 4 and 8 respectively (60%); an essay of 2500–3000 words due at the end of the semester (40%).

This subject potentially can be taken as a breadth subject component for the following courses:

• Bachelor of Arts
• Bachelor of Biomedicine
• Bachelor of Commerce
• Bachelor of Environments
• Bachelor of Science
• Bachelor of Engineering

You should visit learn more about breadth subjects and read the breadth requirements for your degree, and should discuss your choice with your student adviser, before deciding on your subjects.

On completion of this subject students should have developed:

• a capacity for independent critical thought
• an openness to new ideas, knowledge, skills and practices, which provide a basis for independent critical inquiry and research.