Sociology of Music


Type: Compulsory (OB)

Area: Research methods and sources, Communication, promotion and representation

Total value in hours: 120
Classroom hours: 45
Other contact hours: 5
Time for directed work (non face-to-face): 30
Hours for self-study and independent learning: 40

Department: Cultural and Musical Studies

Competences developed in the course

Transversal competences

CT2: To collect meaningful information, analyze it, synthesize it and manage it appropriately.

CT8: To develop ideas and arguments in a reasoned and critical manner.

CT12: To adapt, under competitive conditions, to cultural, social and artistic changes, as well as to advances occurring in the professional field, and to select appropriate pathways for continuous professional development.

General competences

CG10: To argue and verbally express viewpoints on diverse musical concepts.

CG12: To demonstrate sufficient knowledge of musical phenomena and their relationship with the evolution of aesthetic, artistic and cultural values.

CG14: To understand the historical development of music in its different traditions from a critical perspective that places the development of musical art within a social and cultural context.

CG16: To understand the social, cultural and economic context in which musical practice develops, with particular attention to the immediate environment while considering its global dimension.

CG18: To communicate in written and verbal form the content and objectives of professional activity to specialized audiences, using appropriate technical and general vocabulary.

CG24: To develop self-learning skills throughout professional life.

CG26: To be able to link one’s musical activity with other disciplines of scientific and humanistic thought, with the arts in general and with other musical disciplines in particular, enriching professional practice with a multidisciplinary dimension.

Specific competences

MU6: To know the scientific research methods specific to the field and their applications.

Learning outcomes (general objectives)

  1. To understand musical phenomena as activities that must be conceived within the social and cultural life of a community, considering different conceptions of music, the functions and contexts in which it is used, as well as the social attitudes and values it may convey.
  1. To assess, within their historical context, the main sociological theories of music, especially contemporary ones, as well as the relevance these theories may have for critical reflection on musical activity in the immediate environment.
  1. To apply the main sociological concepts and methodologies that can contribute to improving local musical activity, freedom of decision-making and critical understanding.

Contents

Sociological theories on musical activities and the main concepts and methodologies of the discipline. Analysis of musical situations from a sociological perspective and study of the main working methodologies of this discipline. Placement of sociological lines of thought within their corresponding cultural traditions.

Teaching methodology

The teaching-learning methodology in classes includes lecture sessions (presentation of topics), discussion and debate sessions, group work sessions and student presentations.

Assessment systems

The assessment system is based on continuous assessment, founded on a diagnostic evaluation and developed through a summative evaluation leading to the final grade. Continuous assessment is carried out through different assessment records derived from specific evaluation activities, such as participation and classwork, in-class presentations, completion of assignments and/or readings outside class, submission of written work, or written and oral examinations.