MO3524 Popular Music, Culture and Society: The United States and Britain, 1955-1980

Academic year

2024 to 2025 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 9

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.

Planned timetable

TBC

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

Module coordinator

Dr G A M Mitchell

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

Module Staff

Dr G Mitchell

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 explores the ways in which popular music may be used as a lens through which to view socio-cultural changes in Britain and the United States after World War II. It adopts a thematic focus, allowing students to explore particular changes and ideas as they affected both of the countries in question. Adopting a broad and flexible definition of 'popular music', the module explores many of the distinctive musical trends and styles which found particular favour during this period, including rock 'n' roll, skiffle, folk music, 'beat', rock, disco and punk rock. It analyses the ways in which these variously reflected, and served to illuminate, such themes as youth and generational cultures, politics and protest, race, gender, place and social class. While some of the content is transatlantic/comparative in its focus, the module also encourages students to explore those socio-cultural conditions and phenomena which were unique to the US and Britain during this period.

Relationship to other modules

Pre-requisites

BEFORE TAKING THIS MODULE YOU MUST PASS AT LEAST 60 CREDITS FROM {MO1007, MO1008, MO2008, HI2001, MH2002}

Anti-requisites

YOU CANNOT TAKE THIS MODULE IF YOU TAKE MO3421

Assessment pattern

2-hour Written Examination = 40%, Coursework = 60%

Re-assessment

4,000-word essay = 100%

Learning and teaching methods and delivery

Weekly contact

1 x 2-hour seminar, plus 1 office hour.

Scheduled learning hours

22

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

Guided independent study hours

278

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