The course will introduce students to Popular Music Research as an area of postgraduate study through reading and critical discussion addressing a series of core questions in the field, including: What is popular music (and popular music research)? Who makes, buys, and sells popular music? What methods are suitable to researching popular music?

10 x 2-hour, weekly classes taught using a combination of lecture, seminar and presentation styles.

None.

None.

Research Blog (1000 words) - 20%

Essay (3500 words) - 80% 

This course aims to:

■ Introduce the student to key theories and concepts in researching Popular Music and the role it plays within society

■ Encourage the student to critically reflect on approaches regarding the study, and use, of Popular Music

■ Promote the student's critical engagement with key texts in Popular Music Studies

■ Develop the student's skills (including verbal and written) in the presentation of ideas relating to Popular Music

By the end of this course students will be able to:

■ Apply an understanding of, and critically evaluate, a range of academic approaches to the study of Popular Music

■ Reflect critically upon the contested nature of the term 'Popular Music

■ Critically evaluate the role which popular music plays in diverse social contexts

■ Critically assess key concepts such as authenticity, genre and musicianship

Students must submit at least 75% by weight of the components (including examinations) of the course's summative assessment.