Modules

Core Module Information
Module title: Contextual Studies 2: Music in its Social and Cultural Context
SCQF level: 08:
SCQF credit value: 20.00
ECTS credit value: 10
Module code: MUS08147
Module leader: Ken Dempster
School School of Arts and Creative Industries
Subject area group: Screen and Performance
Prerequisites

Requisites: Pre-requisite: Music HNC AND Pre-requisite: [Module MUS07140] Contextual Studies: Sampling Musical Worlds
Description of module content:

The focus of this module is on the role of people within the practice of music as opposed to looking principally at works or technology. You will be presented with a range of methodologies for study and analysis, and new perspectives for consideration throughout the two trimesters. You will be invited to explore and question established narratives about the history of music and will be encouraged and empowered to uncover music and artists who you may not have experienced before. You will also discuss how music fits into the social environment of a culture, especially into our contemporary culture in this city.
Learning Outcomes for module:

Upon completion of this module you will be able to

LO1: Explore diverse historical narratives behind musical genres and forms.

LO2: Develop insight into audiences and how they relate to musical genres and forms.

LO3: Consider music in its social and cultural context.

LO4: Give examples of effective community music in practice.

LO5: Extend the range and diversity of perspectives and conceptual tools you employ in the study of music.
Full Details of Teaching and Assessment
2026/7, Trimester 1, In Person, Edinburgh Napier University
VIEW FULL DETAILS
Occurrence: 001
Primary mode of delivery: In Person
Location of delivery: MERCHISTON
Partner: Edinburgh Napier University
Member of staff responsible for delivering module: John Hails
Module Organiser:


Student Activity (Notional Equivalent Study Hours (NESH))
Mode of activityLearning & Teaching ActivityNESH (Study Hours)NESH Description
Face To Face Lecture 24 The lectures inform you of the importance of appreciating the social and cultural context in which Music can be viewed to help broaden your overview and understanding of this relationship. In TR1, there is emphasis on the topic of Community Music and the skills and approach you need to develop to work as a musician in this field. In TR2, the emphasis shifts towards artists and genres, and your understanding of the relationship between them and their audiences. NB: This is a long & thin module and these sessions will occur on a bi-weekly basis over the course of trimesters one and two, totalling 12 sessions. Reasonable adjustments: resources are available on Moodle to support learning and submission of work. There is much flexibility around the choice of project and artist for each of the two assignments allowing you the freedom to pursue topics already known to you but in greater depth and understanding.
Face To Face Seminar 6 The tutorials are focussed on the three texts available in the Reading List and they help introduce you to the concepts and viewpoints given by each author. The tutorials are designed to help prepare you for the two 50% weighted assignments. In TR1, an essay where you need to research a Community Music project, and in TR2 an ePortfolio that reflects your understanding of the relationship between an artist or genre and its audience base. NB: This is a long & thin module and these sessions will occur on a bi-weekly basis over the course of trimesters one and two, totalling 12 sessions. Reasonable adjustments: resources are available on Moodle to support learning and submission of work. There is much flexibility around the choice of project and artist for each of the two assignments allowing you the freedom to pursue topics already known to you but in greater depth and understanding.
Online Guided independent study 170 In TR1, you are required to research and select a specific community music project or community of musical practice you have found online. Your understanding of how the project works and how it relates to its local community will be expressed by you in an essay. In TR2, you will explore the narrative and audience base of a specific genre, artist or form of your choice. Using Padlet, you can use video and audio recordings, images and text to demonstrate your understanding of this relationship. Reasonable adjustments: resources are available on Moodle to support learning and submission of work. There is much flexibility around the choice of project and artist for each of the two assignments allowing you the freedom to pursue topics already known to you but in greater depth and understanding.
Total Study Hours200
Expected Total Study Hours for Module200


Assessment
Type of Assessment Weighting % LOs covered Week due Length in Hours/Words Description
Essay 50 3~4~5 Week 7 , WORDS= 2,500 words max In TR1, you will need to research online and select a specific community music project or community of musical practice so that you can discuss how the project operates, how the practitioners relate to the participants, and how the project is situated more broadly within the local community.Reasonable adjustments: resources are available on Moodle to support your learning and submission of work. There is much flexibility around the choice of community music project for the assignment allowing you freedom to pursue the topic that is of most interest to you.
Portfolio 50 1~2~3~5 Week 13 , WORDS= 2,000 words In TR2, the students are required to research an artist, genre or form of their choice. Using Padlet, they should create an electronic portfolio made up of a range of resources including video, audio, text, and images. This will explore the narrative and audience base of the selected artist or genre and reveal the relationship between them.Reasonable adjustments: resources are available on Moodle, including tutorials on the use of Padlet, to help support learning and the submission of work. There is much flexibility around the choice of topic for the assignment allowing the students freedom to pursue a subject that is of most interest and relevance to their own musical identity.
Component 1 subtotal: 50
Component 2 subtotal: 50
Module subtotal: 100

Indicative References and Reading List - URL:
Contextual Studies 2: Music in its Social and Cultural Context
 

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