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Topics in Popular Music

Key information

  • Module code:

    6AAMS383

  • Level:

    6

  • Semester:

      Spring

  • Credit value:

    15

Module description

This module explores a selected topic in popular music studies, examining major theme(s), scene(s), artist(s), group(s), recording(s) and performance(s), and investigating their relationship to broader social, theoretical and aesthetic issues.

 

The 24-25 topic will be:

Video Game Music

This module will analyse video game music via critical theories. Students will be introduced to pertinent philosophical concepts and encouraged to discuss the roles that video game music plays in the perpetuation and emancipation of video game characters, narrative, and player experience, within the context of the wider video game industry.

Assessment details

  • 1500 word essay (40%)
  • 2500 word essay (60%)

Educational aims & objectives

To provide a sophisticated understanding of major aesthetic, historical and theoretical issues in popular music and popular music studies, examining the music's complex relations to its historical, geographical and cultural contexts.

 

Learning outcomes

By the end of the module, students will be able to demonstrate intellectual, transferable and practical skills appropriate to a Level 6 module and in particular will be able to demonstrate:

  • A sophisticated, detailed understanding of an important aspect of popular music from an historical or contemporary perspective
  • A critical understanding of and ability to evaluate the ways in which popular music is embedded in contemporary political, social and artistic life
  • The ability to conduct independent research on popular music.

Subject areas

Department

Module description disclaimer

King’s College London reviews the modules offered on a regular basis to provide up-to-date, innovative and relevant programmes of study. Therefore, modules offered may change. We suggest you keep an eye on the course finder on our website for updates.

Please note that modules with a practical component will be capped due to educational requirements, which may mean that we cannot guarantee a place to all students who elect to study this module.

Please note that the module descriptions above are related to the current academic year and are subject to change.