Music Industries MSc
Popular Music Politics MUSIC5075
- Academic Session: 2026-27
- School: School of Culture and Creative Arts
- Credits: 20
- Level: Level 5 (SCQF level 11)
- Typically Offered: Semester 2
- Available to Visiting Students: Yes
- Collaborative Online International Learning: No
- Curriculum For Life: No
Short Description
This courses introduce students to, and enhance their critical understanding of, the politics of Popular Music at postgraduate level.
Timetable
11 x 3-hour, weekly classes taught using a combination of lectures and seminars
Excluded Courses
None
Co-requisites
None
Assessment
The standard assessments for this course are:
■ Oral presentation of up to 10 minutes - 20%
■ Essay of 3,500 to 4,000 words - 80%
If required, for instance where a disability prevents a student from undertaking a specific method of assessment, the following alternatives are available:
■ Presentation in alternative format, either audio or in person as an alternative to the oral presentation
■ There is no alternative to the essay, but a flexible deadline can be offered as reasonable adjustments (students should follow the usual process for extensions)
Further reasonable adjustments may be provided where necessary. Students are encouraged to consult with the course convenor.
Course Aims
This course aims to overall aim of this course is to :
■ introduce students, and develop students' critical understanding of, the politics of Popular Music
■ Introduce and theorise the notion of politics
■ Introduce and theorise the relationship between the state and Popular Music
■ Critically examine the development of Popular Music policies, especially within the UK
■ Critically examine the interaction between social movements and Popular Music
■ Critically evaluate the roles which gender and sexuality play in the production and consumption of Popular Music
■ Examine the limitations to freedom of expression in Popular Music
■ Develop students' skills (including verbal and written) in the presentation of ideas relating to the Politics of Popular Music
Intended Learning Outcomes of Course
By the end of this course students will be able to:
■ Critically evaluate the politics of Popular Music in a range of contexts
■ Critique a number of key academic and other texts relating in
■ Critically evaluate key concepts such as politics, gender, policy and censorship
■ Engage critically with academic texts germane to the area of study
■ Reflect critically upon their own musical tastes
■ Present orally and in writing the key debates germane to the area of study