MU5801 Making Music in a Church Context (Distance Learning)

Academic year

2025 to 2026 Semester 2

Further information on which modules are specific to your programme.

Key module information

SCOTCAT credits

30

The Scottish Credit Accumulation and Transfer (SCOTCAT) system allows credits gained in Scotland to be transferred between institutions. The number of credits associated with a module gives an indication of the amount of learning effort required by the learner. European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) credits are half the value of SCOTCAT credits.

SCQF level

SCQF level 11

The Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) provides an indication of the complexity of award qualifications and associated learning and operates on an ascending numeric scale from Levels 1-12 with SCQF Level 10 equating to a Scottish undergraduate Honours degree.

Availability restrictions

Available only to students enrolled on distance learning/online posgraduate programmes in Sacred Music

Planned timetable

TBC

This information is given as indicative. Timetable may change at short notice depending on room availability.

Module coordinator

Dr M C J Ferguson

Dr M C J Ferguson
This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module Staff

Dr Michael Ferguson, Dr Michael Downes,Dr Jane Pettegree, Dr Tom Wilkinson, Dr Bede Williams, Mr Jonathan May, Miss Claire Innes-Hopkins

This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module description

This module encourages students to reflect on, and to develop, their practice as church musicians, music leaders, clergy, and/or oral presenters. Case study explorations of roles such as choir director, organist, composer, and worship ensemble leader, allow students to engage critically with different types of church music roles, and explore the technical, organisational, and interpersonal skills required for successful church music-making. Insights from lecture case studies and scholarly perspectives from reading are combined with ongoing reflection on students’ own practice in their home contexts. Teaching is delivered through videoed presentations, one-to-one supervision with staff, and group forum participation.

Assessment pattern

Coursework = 100%

Re-assessment

Coursework = 100%

Learning and teaching methods and delivery

Weekly contact

There are no fixed weekly contact hours, but students are expected to engage with 22 hours of pre-recorded content per topic/over the course of the module. Students will be offered 4 x 30 minute individual supervision meetings with a member of staff, two of which are compulsory.

Scheduled learning hours

24

The number of compulsory student:staff contact hours over the period of the module.

Guided independent study hours

275

The number of hours that students are expected to invest in independent study over the period of the module.

Intended learning outcomes

  • Understand more deeply the role of a present-day church musician in its different facets and contexts
  • Demonstrate enhanced skills as a church musician and/or researcher, including those of live presentation and performance
  • Critically reflect upon the issues relating specifically to their specialism, in verbal and written form.
  • Consider church music-making outside of their specialist area, and to relate this to their particular specialism