Baroque and Classical Music

This subject is not offered in 2013.

120 hours

Musical literacy, to a standard equivalent to AMEB grade 4 or higher.

It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. Students who feel their disability will impact on meeting the requirements of this subject are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and the Disability Liaison Unit.

An overview of music, culture and society in Western Europe from the 17th to the late 18th centuries. Students will explore the development of musical styles during the period in their cultural, social and political contexts. Through an examination of works by Monteverdi, Schütz, Lully, Vivaldi, Handel, J. S. Bach, W. A. Mozart and J. Haydn, among others, this subject will discuss current scholarship on authenticity and performance practice, music and politics, gender and sexuality, and music and meaning.

On completion of this subject students should be able to:

• Understand music from the Baroque to the end of the Classical period in its cultural context
• Discriminate both aurally and conceptually between the main music genres and styles from the Baroque to the end of the Classical period
• Undertake basic scholarly work using music-specific bibliographic tools
• Discuss music coherently using an appropriate technical vocabulary
• Engage meaningfully with contemporary scholarship on the periods examined
• Work constructively yet rigorously with peers

Three tutorial assignments equivalent to 400 words each, due in week 4, 6 and 8, respectively (30% - 10% for each assignment); essay of 2000 words, due in week 10 (50%); one-hour listening-based examination, held during the examination period (20%).

A reader and a music anthology will be available from the University bookstore at the beginning of semester.

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

On completion of this subject students will 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-based writing