Course content

Through lectures and assigned readings, this seminar examines the themes, critical ideas and repertories of a broad diversity of jazz literature. The larger part of the seminar will focus on discourses in recent academic jazz literature, though the course will also place the subjects of these readings into larger contexts within the history of jazz criticism. The primary purpose of this seminar is to allow participants to: (1) gain specialized familiarity with important contemporary and historical issues in academic jazz scholarship; (2) become acquainted with the writings of a variety of significant authors in jazz criticism and scholarship, present and past; and (3) learn and practice – through individual term paper – the fundamental methodologies of pursuing research in modern jazz studies.

Learning outcome

Knowledge:A candidate who successfully completes MUSV3122 will have– specialized knowledge about jazz scholarship and jazz historiography.– specialized knowledge about subject-specific theory and discourses.– general knowledge about the relations between jazz studies and various academic disciplines.Skills:A candidate who successfully completes MUSV3122– can formulate their knowledge in a compelling manner in both written and spoken forms– can independently identify, assess, and develop understandings of relevant research-based problems in jazz studies– has gained specialized knowledge of research methodologies related to jazz studies

Learning methods and activities

Lectures and in-class discussion.Mandatory activities.This class is structured as a seminar with discussion sessions and lectures being the central parts of each class. The respective reading, listening, and video viewing assignments for each class will function as the basic materials from which we will build our seminar discussions. Weekly coursework includes: select readings; listening and viewing assignments related to readings; and in-class discussion of these assigned materials. NOTE: Because this course includes a discussion-oriented seminar, all weekly assigned readings MUST be dutifully read before each weeks class, as in-class discussion participation is a vital part of the pedagogical methods of the course. Assessment: Either a take-home examination or a portfolio assessment to be graded as follows: 40% written assignment-response postings, with weekly deadlines before class; 60% term paper or a bachelor's thesis (15-20 pages) under academic supervision. The text for the home examination should have a length of about 10 pages.Students in the bachelor's programme in Musicology must choose the "bachelor's thesis" as the form of assessment in one MUSV31**-course in their third or fourth semester. The topic of the bachelor's thesis must be chosen in agreement with the course lecturer, and must be based on the course syllabus. There will be 5 hours of individual thesis supervision. The subject, plan and outline of the thesis topic must be approved by the course lecturer by mid-term, at the latest. The completed bachelor's thesis is to be 15-20 pages in length: 12 pt, 1.5 line spacing.

Specific conditions

Recommended previous knowledge

Basic knowledge of, and interest in, jazz history and repertory.

Required previous knowledge

Requires admission to one of the Bachelor's programmes or Master's programmes in Musicology, Music Technology or Music Performance Studies.