MUSS855 The X-Factor in Music (5 cr)

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Study level:

Advanced studies

Grading scale:

0-5

Language:

English

Responsible organisation:

Department of Music, Art and Culture Studies

Curriculum periods:

2017-2018, 2018-2019, 2019-2020

Description

Content

The “X” Factor. Every exceptional song, artist, or performance has it. It’s what makes the hairs on the back of your neck stand on end, sends shivers down your spine. It’s what turns a great song into an anthem, a successful artist into a superstar. Its presence or absence can mean the difference between excellence and mediocrity, celebrity and obscurity. But what exactly is the “X” Factor? And can it be quantified? The course will cover a range of “X” Factor principles, including those relating to Expectation, Timing, Emotion, eMotion, Familiarity, Structure, and Lyrics. Audio and video examples will be used to illustrate the principles described.

Completion methods

Lectures, group work, essay, group discussion. More detailed information will be given in syllabus.

Assessment details

Active participation (80 % or more) in teaching and group discussions, accepted essay.

Evaluation criteria will be given in the beginning of the course.

Learning outcomes

The aim of this course is to increase understanding and appreciation of the musical experience by learning how the “X” Factor can indeed be quantified in terms of a range of empirically-demonstrated principles.

Additional information

Participants will be encouraged to informally suggest audio and video examples of their own that they feel illustrate the principles described, and group discussion will be strongly encouraged.

Study materials

Learning material will be introduced during the first lecture.

Completion methods

Method 1

Select all marked parts

Parts of the completion methods

Unpublished assessment item