Last modified: 27 Jun 2025 15:16
This course examines musical repertoire, practices and culture in Scotland from the 18th century through to the present day. Seminars will focus on a series of case studies, together exploring wider questions around identity, tradition and genre, especially the intersections between classical, folk, and popular styles, and the creation of national and regional identities through music.
| Study Type | Undergraduate | Level | 4 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Term | First Term | Credit Points | 30 credits (15 ECTS credits) |
| Campus | Aberdeen | Sustained Study | No |
| Co-ordinators |
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This course examines musical repertoire, practices and culture in Scotland from the 18th century through to the present day. Seminars will focus on a series of case studies, together exploring wider questions around identity, tradition and genre, especially the intersections between classical, folk, and popular styles, and the creation of national and regional identities through music.
The course will be team-taught and research-led, with seminars exploring various vocal, instrumental, and dance traditions, song collecting, the invention of folk and classical music, and the musical reaction to various political events, from the Act of Union of 1707 through to the Independence Referendum of 2014. The course will consider the various efforts at defining Scottish music, considering a diversity of musical styles, from country dances and Highland Pibroch, to classical symphonies and 21st-century Scottish pop. A selection of seminars will include opportunities for practical demonstrations and experimentation, including participatory sessions on dance and song.
Information on contact teaching time is available from the course guide.
| Assessment Type | Summative | Weighting | 30 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment Weeks | Feedback Weeks | |||
| Feedback |
Duration: 10 mins An individual presentation exploring at least one musical tradition, genre or composer, giving an opportunity to develop research and oral communication skills. Students are also given the option of whether to include a practical demonstration within the presentation. Presentations will be held in the final 2-3 weeks of the course in separate sessions outside of the regular seminars. Written feedback will be provided via Blackboard within three weeks. |
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| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Conceptual | Analyse | Define and analyse various definitions of musical styles and genres, using musical case studies |
| Factual | Apply | Identify and discuss issues around the history of musical traditions in Scotland, tracing the development of more than one instrumental or vocal genre. |
| Factual | Understand | Develop detailed knowledge and understanding of cultural exchanges that have taken place in Scottish music |
| Assessment Type | Summative | Weighting | 60 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment Weeks | 20 | Feedback Weeks | 23 | |
| Feedback |
Students will be able to pick their essay topic from a series of questions provided by the course coordinator. Feedback will be provided within three weeks of submission via blackboard. |
Word Count | 3000 | |
| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Conceptual | Analyse | Define and analyse various definitions of musical styles and genres, using musical case studies |
| Conceptual | Apply | Place Scottish music in social and political contexts through reviewing specialist literature |
| Factual | Apply | Identify and discuss issues around the history of musical traditions in Scotland, tracing the development of more than one instrumental or vocal genre. |
| Factual | Understand | Develop detailed knowledge and understanding of cultural exchanges that have taken place in Scottish music |
| Reflection | Apply | Produce effective contributions to scholarly debate around at least one musical tradition or composer in Scotland. |
| Assessment Type | Summative | Weighting | 10 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment Weeks | Feedback Weeks | |||
| Feedback |
Informal oral feedback in class, written feedback after week 19. |
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| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Conceptual | Analyse | Define and analyse various definitions of musical styles and genres, using musical case studies |
| Conceptual | Apply | Place Scottish music in social and political contexts through reviewing specialist literature |
| Factual | Apply | Identify and discuss issues around the history of musical traditions in Scotland, tracing the development of more than one instrumental or vocal genre. |
| Factual | Understand | Develop detailed knowledge and understanding of cultural exchanges that have taken place in Scottish music |
There are no assessments for this course.
| Assessment Type | Summative | Weighting | 100 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment Weeks | Feedback Weeks | |||
| Feedback |
For the resit, students will be expected to submit a new essay on a different topic. Students will be able to pick their essay topic from a series of questions provided by the course coordinator. Feedback will be provided within three weeks of submission via blackboard. |
Word Count | 4000 | |
| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
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| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Factual | Understand | Develop detailed knowledge and understanding of cultural exchanges that have taken place in Scottish music |
| Factual | Apply | Identify and discuss issues around the history of musical traditions in Scotland, tracing the development of more than one instrumental or vocal genre. |
| Conceptual | Apply | Place Scottish music in social and political contexts through reviewing specialist literature |
| Conceptual | Analyse | Define and analyse various definitions of musical styles and genres, using musical case studies |
| Reflection | Apply | Produce effective contributions to scholarly debate around at least one musical tradition or composer in Scotland. |
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