Module Details

Module Code: MUSC8065
Title: Women in Music
Long Title: Women in Music
NFQ Level: Advanced
Valid From: Semester 1 - 2021/22 ( September 2021 )
Duration: 1 Semester
Credits: 5
Field of Study: 2121 - Music & Performing Arts
Module Delivered in: 2 programme(s)
Module Description: This module explores the musical achievements of women in Western art music from the middle ages to the present day. The module examines women's participation in music, primarily focussing on women as composers but also considering women as performers, teachers and patrons. The module also includes an introduction to issues relating to gender and culture.
 
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module the learner will be able to:
# Learning Outcome Description
LO1 Analyse and evaluate the main contributions of women to the field of music from the middle ages to the present.
LO2 Demonstrate a critical understanding of representative works by women composers.
LO3 Explain the key concepts relating to gender and music.
LO4 Research and present a specialised topic relating to women and music.
Dependencies
Module Recommendations

This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is strongly recommended before enrolment in this module. You may enrol in this module if you have not acquired the recommended learning but you will have considerable difficulty in passing (i.e. achieving the learning outcomes of) the module. While the prior learning is expressed as named MTU module(s) it also allows for learning (in another module or modules) which is equivalent to the learning specified in the named module(s).
Incompatible Modules
These are modules which have learning outcomes that are too similar to the learning outcomes of this module. You may not earn additional credit for the same learning and therefore you may not enrol in this module if you have successfully completed any modules in the incompatible list.
No incompatible modules listed
Co-requisite Modules
No Co-requisite modules listed
Requirements

This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is mandatory before enrolment in this module is allowed. You may not enrol on this module if you have not acquired the learning specified in this section.
No requirements listed
 
Indicative Content
Specialised topic
Medium length (4,500-5,000 word) essay on an approved topic related to the course OR preparation and presentation of musical work(s) by a woman composer or women composers in the form of a lecture/recital with accompanying programme notes
Gender and music
Introduction to gender studies; gender and the musical canon: introduction to feminist musicology; genre and women composers
Women and music: middle ages to 18th century
Women making music in the Middle Ages, Renaissance and Baroque eras; Hildegard von Bingen, Francesca Caccini, Barbara Strozzi and Elizabeth Jacquet de la Guerre
Women and music: 19th century
The role of women in the Romantic era; women and the lied; Clara Schumann, Fanny Mendelssohn Hensel and Pauline Garcia-Viardot; women and orchestral music
Women and music: 20th century to present day
Women composers in the early twentieth century; gender and music technology; Irish women composers; women in film and video game music; women conductors
Women in jazz and popular music
Women and jazz music; female jazz singers; all-girl bands and girl groups; women in early rock and roll; women singer-songwriters; sexism and the music industry
Module Content & Assessment
Assessment Breakdown%
Coursework100.00%

Assessments

Coursework
Assessment Type Reflective Journal % of Total Mark 25
Timing Every Second Week Learning Outcomes 1,2,3
Assessment Description
Responses to reading, listening and practical assignments
Assessment Type Short Answer Questions % of Total Mark 25
Timing Week 7 Learning Outcomes 1,2,3
Assessment Description
Biography, chronology, definition of key concepts, aural identification
Assessment Type Other % of Total Mark 50
Timing Sem End Learning Outcomes 1,2,4
Assessment Description
Essay or lecture/recital
No End of Module Formal Examination
Reassessment Requirement
Coursework Only
This module is reassessed solely on the basis of re-submitted coursework. There is no repeat written examination.

The University reserves the right to alter the nature and timings of assessment

 

Module Workload

Workload: Full Time
Workload Type Contact Type Workload Description Frequency Average Weekly Learner Workload Hours
Lecture Contact Women in music from the middle ages to the present Every Week 2.00 2
Tutorial Contact Engaging with women in music Every Week 1.00 1
Independent & Directed Learning (Non-contact) Non Contact Reading, listening, research, study Every Week 4.00 4
Total Hours 7.00
Total Weekly Learner Workload 7.00
Total Weekly Contact Hours 3.00
This module has no Part Time workload.
 
Module Resources
Recommended Book Resources
  • Briscoe, James R. (ed.). (2004), New Historical Anthology of Music by Women, Indiana University Press, [ISBN: 0253216834].
  • Hamer, Laura (ed.). (2021), The Cambridge Companion to Women in Music since 1900, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, [ISBN: 9781108556491].
Supplementary Book Resources
  • Bowers, Jane M. and Judith Tick (eds.). (1987), Women Making Music: The Western Art Tradition 1150-1950, University of Illinois Press, Champaign, Illinois, [ISBN: 0252014707].
  • Citron, Marcia. (1993), Gender and the Musical Canon, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, [ISBN: 052144974X].
  • Fuller, Sophie. (1995), The Pandora Guide to Women Composers: Britain and the United States 1629-present, Pandora, London, [ISBN: 0044409362].
  • Green, Lucy. (1997), Music, Gender, Education, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, [ISBN: 9780521555227].
  • Leonard, Marion. (2007), Gender in the Music Industry: Rock, Discourse and Girl Power, Routledge, Oxford, [ISBN: 9780754638629].
  • Macarthur, Sally. (2013), Towards a Twenty-First-Century Feminist Politics of Music, Ashgate, Surrey, [ISBN: 9781409418252].
  • McClary, Susan. (2002), Feminine Endings: Music, Gender and Sexuality, University of Minnesota Press, Minneapolis, [ISBN: 9780816641895].
  • O'Brien, Lucy. (2012), She Bop: The Definitive History of Women in Popular Music, 3rd. Jawbone Press, London, [ISBN: 9781908279279].
  • Pendle, Karin. (2001), Women and Music: A History, 2nd. Indiana University Press, Bloomington, Indiana, [ISBN: 025321422X].
  • Sadie, Julie Ann & Rhian Samuel (eds.). (1995), The Norton/Grove Dictionary of Women Composers, Norton, London & New York, [ISBN: 0393034879].
This module does not have any article/paper resources
Other Resources
 
Module Delivered in
Programme Code Programme Semester Delivery
CR_GMUSC_8 Bachelor of Music (Honours) 7 Elective
CR_GMUSC_8 Bachelor of Music (Honours) 5 Elective