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  5. Theory and Method in Music Sciences

Theory and Method in Music Sciences

Objectives

a) A knowledge of the journey of Musicology, as an academic discipline, in its historical and ethnomusicological aspects, as well as of Musical Arts, at an international level and in Portugal.
b) Familiarity with the major contemporary theoretical currents in the field of Musicology and Musical Arts.
c) Development of advanced theoretical-methodological and conceptual skills in the fields of Historical Musicology, Ethnomusicology and Musical Arts;
d) Aquisition of in-depth skills in writing and editing scientific papers.

General characterization

Code

722021032

Credits

10.0

Responsible teacher

Luísa Mariana de Oliveira Rodrigues Cymbron

Hours

Weekly - 3

Total - 280

Teaching language

Portuguese

Prerequisites

N/A

Bibliography

  • AAVV (2001). Ethnomusicology / Musicology. In S. Sadie (Ed.), The New Grove dictionary of music and musicians (vol.8, pp. 367-403;vol.17, pp. 488-533), Macmillan.
  • Barz, G. F., & Cooley, T. J. (Eds.). (2008). Shadows in the field: New perspectives for fieldwork in ethnomusicology (2nd ed). Oxford UP.
  • Clayton, M., Herbert, T., & Middleton, R. (Eds.) (2011). The cultural study of music: a critical introduction (3ª ed.). Routledge.
  • Cook, N., & Everist, M. (Eds.) (2001). Rethinking music. Oxford UP.
  • Hannula, M., & Vadén, T., (2005). Artistic research: theories, methods and practices. Helsinki Acad. Fine Arts.
  • Nelson, R. (2013). Practice as research in the arts: Principles, protocols, pedagogies, resistances. Macmillan.
  • Samson, J., & Scott, J. P. E. H. (Org.) (2009). An introduction to music studies. Cambridge UP.
  • Turabian, K. L. (2007). A manual for writers of research papers, theses, and dissertations. U. Chicago P.

Teaching method

The course is divided into 2 modules. The first is attended by all students enrolled in it. In the second, students are divided into groups,according to the chosen specialty: Historical Musicology, Ethnomusicology and Musical Arts. In module 1, given its introductory nature,the teaching model is more expository; module 2 works on a seminar basis, which best suits the development of critical thinking, essential at the postgraduate level. In addition to the discussion of texts, short reviews of articles or book chapters can be requested, with a special focus on the discussion of research and writing methodologies used by different authors. Issues related to the construction of individual research projects will be discussed.

Evaluation method

Continuous assessment - A proposal for a research project(50%), A text of critical reflection (review of a book, chapter or article)(40%), Continuous assessment(10%)

Subject matter

1. Musicology and Musical Arts as academic disciplines and research areas. Paths and challenges of today.
2.1 The Historical Musicology from the late nineteenth century to the present. A wide field of interests and a corresponding variety of methodological approaches. The major trends of today. Perspectives on research in Portugal.
2.2 The development of Ethnomusicology and the main theoretical and methodological issues of the present. Contemporary issues and their approaches within the discipline. The theory and practice of musical ethnography, research methods and field research techniques.
2.3 Research methodologies in Musical Arts: Transversality and complexity of research through practice; the documentation of the creative act and performance as bases for MA research; The artistic creation as research: Recover, restore, document, experiment.
3. Problems of writing and editing academic papers.