Film and Music: Theory and Criticism

Overview

This module considers how music and image interact in film, and the social and cultural aspects of these associations. Students will be introduced to a range of key theories, in particular those surrounding music in classical cinema, and will obtain a precise understanding of the ways in which music ‘works’ in film, achieved via the close analysis of a range of filmic texts.

The module also considers ways of discussing film music in non-specialist terms, and as such no formal training in music is required to enrol on this module.

Learning Objectives

Upon successful completion of the module, students should be able to demonstrate:

1) the ability to analyse the associations between music and film in a sophisticated manner

2) a broad understanding of the various critical and theoretical approaches to film music

3) an understanding of scoring practices in film, including how they have developed over time

4) an understanding of the sociological and cultural aspects of film music

Skills

1) Critical thinking skills

2) Analytical skills

3) Skills of rhetoric and argumentation

4) Presentation skills

5) Written, verbal, and visual communication skills

Assessment

None