Studying at York
Women Making Music - MUS00186C
- Department: Music
- Module co-ordinator: Dr. Bella Powell
- Credit value: 20 credits
- Credit level: C
- Academic year of delivery: 2023-24
- See module specification for other years: 2024-25
Module summary
This module will explore the changing roles for women in the musical world of the nineteenth century, linking in with broader social and artistic trends.
Module will run
| Occurrence | Teaching period |
|---|---|
| A | Semester 2 2023-24 |
Module aims
The long nineteenth century (roughly 1780-1914) has proved to be a particularly important and interesting area of history for women from social, political and musical perspectives. The period was a time of significant change for women, with traditional ideas about ‘correct’ gender roles gradually relaxed, challenged and reformed. This module will explore women’s musical activities in the long nineteenth century, including aspects of their performances and compositions, alongside a discussion of public and critical reactions to their work. As well examining overarching changes during the period, the module will also focus on the careers of a number of key women musicians, considering how their activities fitted in to the cultural and social landscape of the nineteenth century. The module will explore the impact of a range of figures, from the girls raised in Venetian convent-conservatoires at the beginning of the period to the ‘new woman’ musicians at its close.
Module learning outcomes
By the end of this module, you will be able to:
- Communicate key concepts relating to issues of gender in music during the long nineteenth century with clarity and critical insight.
- Demonstrate critical understanding of the ways in which performances and composition by women were received in the nineteenth century and how this relates to the role of music as an expression of culture during the period.
- draw upon knowledge of a number of key female figures in nineteenth-century musical life, and their works/careers.
- Show engagement with the issues and theories encountered in the subject matter of the module and be able to apply these critical skills and methodologies to other areas of musicology.
First Years - on completion of this module, in their independent work, students should demonstrate learning outcomes A1-6.
Assessment
| Task | Length | % of module mark |
|---|---|---|
| Essay/coursework Essay |
N/A | 100 |
Special assessment rules
None
Additional assessment information
An essay of approximately 4000 words on a topic of your choice agreed in tutorial.
Reassessment
| Task | Length | % of module mark |
|---|---|---|
| Essay/coursework Essay |
N/A | 100 |
Module feedback
You will receive written feedback in line with standard University turnaround times.
Indicative reading
Key texts:
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Bowers, Jane and Judith Tick, eds. (1986) Women Making Music: The Western Art Tradition, 1150 - 1950. Houndmills: Macmillan.
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Gillett, Paula. (2000) Musical Women in England, 1870-1914: “Encroaching on all Man’s Privileges”. Houndmills: Macmillan.
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Hyde, Derek. (1998) New found voices : women in nineteenth century English music, 3rd ed. Aldershot: Ashgate.
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Neuls-Bates, Carol. (1996) Women in Music: An Anthology of Source Readings from the Middle Ages to the Present. Boston: Northeastern University Press.
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Pendle, Karen, ed. (1991) Women & Music: A History. Bloomington, Indiana: Indiana University Press.
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Solie, Ruth, ed. (1993) Musicology and Difference: Gender and Sexuality in Music Scholarship. Berkeley & California: University of California.