740-449 Music Criticism

Students will develop the ability to look critically at some of the assumptions underlying the study and practice of music; study writings on the nature and value of musical works; come to understand the historical and social background to the development of professional music criticism; gain insight into the critical process both in academic and journalistic criticism and become aware of the problems involved in the discipline. Topics covered include theoretical and academic writings on music criticism, looking in particular at issues raised by the writings of Joseph Kerman; the history of music criticism, tracing the rise of the professional music critic; journalistic criticism and the problems encountered and created by the newspaper music critic.

On completion of this subject students should have developed • a capacity for independent critical thought • high-level cognitive skills • an openness to new ideas • ability and self-confidence to comprehend complex concepts, and to express them lucidly whether orally or in writing.

Review: 1500 words (30%); Essay: 2500-3000 words (70%).