Philosophy of Music
| Module title | Philosophy of Music |
|---|---|
| Module code | PHL3131 |
| Academic year | 2025/6 |
| Credits | 15 |
| Module staff | (Convenor) |
| Duration: Term | 1 | 2 | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration: Weeks | 11 |
Module description
This module covers key topics in the philosophy of music. Music is an important part of our everyday lives, as well as a well-regarded form of art. For a start, however, it is already controversial what music actually is (how does it differ from mere noise, for example?). Many other philosophical questions can be asked about music, such as: is there good and bad music? Does music represent or express anything (and, if so, what)? What is the relation between music and emotion? Why do we enjoy listening to sad or angry music? What counts as a musical instrument (e.g., is the body an instrument)? The module will address these and related questions (specific contents may change from year to year). It will include different philosophical traditions – analytical, phenomenological, and historical approaches – and not be limited to Western music.
This module it suitable to all (no prerequisites). It complements existing courses on aesthetics and philosophy of emotion, but can also be taken independently. Some topics in philosophy of music overlap with topics in the psychology of music – so if you are particularly interested in psychology and/or philosophy of mind/cognitive science, this module would also be suitable.
You are not required to be familiar with music theory or to play an instrument to take this module.
Module aims - intentions of the module
The main aim of this module it to expose you to a set of questions and debates central to the philosophy of music, in different philosophical traditions and historical periods. You will learn about various different philosophical perspectives on music, and will be encouraged to develop your own position in relation to them. You will acquire a critical standpoint from which to understand and interpret a variety of theoretical claims.
If you play a musical instrument and/or are involved in musical activities in their daily life, this module will deepen your understanding and enrich your practice. If you have no background in music education, the module will be relevant at least to your music-listening activities, and may motivate your to develop or deepen a personal interest in music.
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
ILO: Module-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 1. Understand in detail a variety of questions and debates on the philosophy of music
- 2. Critically evaluate different theoretical positions about the nature of music
ILO: Discipline-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 3. Analyse in depth complex written philosophical texts
- 4. Acquire and develop your own critical perspective on a variety of philosophical claims
ILO: Personal and key skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 5. Develop clear, well-structured and rigorously organized arguments
- 6. Participate in group discussions on complex philosophical ideas, and orally articulate your own views in an intelligible and well-supported way
Syllabus plan
Specific contents may vary from year to year. Here is a sample of questions and topics the module may cover:
- What is music, and what is not?
- Is music art?
- Does music express anything?
- Is music representational?
- How does music relate to emotion? Why do we enjoy listening to sad music?
- What is a musical instrument?
- What is a musical improvisation?
Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
|---|---|---|
| 22 | 128 | 0 |
Details of learning activities and teaching methods
| Category | Hours of study time | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled learning and teaching activities | 22 | 2-hour a week lecture and seminar |
| Guided independent study | 27 | Preparation - 9 weakly readings (3 hours per reading) |
| Guided independent study | 20 | Preparation and writing of essay schema |
| Guided independent study | 81 | Preparation and writing of the summative essay |
Formative assessment
| Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Essay schema | 800 words | 1-5 | Written |
| Participation in group discussion | Ongoing | 6 | Verbal |
Summative assessment (% of credit)
| Coursework | Written exams | Practical exams |
|---|---|---|
| 100 | 0 | 0 |
Details of summative assessment
| Form of assessment | % of credit | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Essay | 100 | 2500 words | 1-5 | Written |
Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)
| Original form of assessment | Form of re-assessment | ILOs re-assessed | Timescale for re-assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Essay (2500 words) | Essay (2500 words) | 1-5 | Referral / Deferral period |
Re-assessment notes
Same length and topics as summative essay
Indicative learning resources - Basic reading
There are many books on the topic “Philosophy of Music”. Here is one, available online through the library:
- Levenson, Jerrold (2015). Musical Concerns: Essays in Philosophy of Music. Oxford University Press.
Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources
- The excellent free Stanford Encyclopaedia of Philosophy online provides a thorough overview of the topic:
https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/music/
| Credit value | 15 |
|---|---|
| Module ECTS | 7.5 |
| Module pre-requisites | Cannot have taken PHL2121 Philosophy of Music |
| Module co-requisites | None |
| NQF level (module) | 6 |
| Available as distance learning? | No |
| Origin date | 08/01/2025 |
| Last revision date | 13/01/2025 |
