Music and Thought
Code
722021021
Academic unit
Faculdade de Ciências Sociais e Humanas
Department
Ciências Musicais
Credits
10
Teacher in charge
Manuel Pedro Ferreira
Weekly hours
3 letivas + 1 tutorial
Teaching language
Portuguese
Objectives
a) To offer conceptual and methodological tools, as well as developing critical and autocritical skills in the fields of Aesthetics, History of Ideas and the Philosophy of Music; b) To provide bibliographic/documentary guidance, as well as developing skills in information retrieval and processing, according to standards of up-to-dateness and scientific relevance; c) To develop the ability to conceptualize, to question and to problematize any relevant topic of musicological research, broadly understood, as part of an interdisciplinary outlook, in connection with the student´s specific dissertation/project topic; d) To develop skills in oral and written communication, in accord with international academic standards of clarity and rigour; e) To foster the taste for philosophical reflection in general, to stimulate the production of original research in the area, and to promote the critical analysis of musical and musicological discourse.
Prerequisites
Note: A good background in Aesthetics/Philosophy of Music is desirable, as well as good knowledge of written English.
Subject matter
1. Conceptualizing music through history, music as non-conceptual thought, and the modes of elucidation of the musical experience: the role of music theory. 2. Philosophical problematic of the concept; the role of concepts in the definition, description and classification of the objects of scientific knowledge, especially in the field of musicology, broadly understood. The relations between concepts and meaning; an approach to the main theories of signification and representation, in connection with their relevance for musicology. 3. Problems in hermeneutics and critical theory in their application to musical issues. 4. Modes of thinking and discursive practices in musicology; the place of musicology within the social sciences and humanities. Note: The treatment of topics within this section will be adapted to the particular fields of interest for students, concerning specific musicological concepts.
Bibliography
Geral/General:
Borio, G. & Gentili, C. (Eds.) (2007). Storia dei concetti musicali. Roma: Carocci.
Bowman, W. D. (1998). Philosophical Perspectives on Music. Oxford: OUP.
Christensen, T. (Ed.) (2002). The Cambridge History of Western Music Theory. Cambridge: CUP.
Lippman, E. (1992). A History of Western Musical Aesthetics. Lincoln: University of Nebraska Press.
Nattiez, J.-J. (Ed.) (2007). Musiques: Une Encyclopédie pour le XXIe siècle, vol. 5: L´Unité de la musique. Arles: Actes Sud.
Outros/Other:
Agawu, K. (1987). The Rhythmic Structure of West African Music. The Journal of Musicology, 5, 400-418.
Dyer, J. (2007). The Place of Musica in Medieval Classifications of Knowledge, The Journal of Musicology, 24, 3-71.
Pearsall, E. (1999). On Intentionality, Music Theory, and Analysis, Journal of Music Theory, 43, 231-255.
Teaching method
30% theoretical exposition and 70% practical work. Practical work consists mainly of oral presentations of individual work by students, followed by group discussion.
Evaluation method
Assessment is based on the quality of the oral presentations and participation in group discussions (35%) and an essay about a concept of particular relevance to the student´s individual dissertation or project (65%).