Philosophy Of Music And Music Education

Course Code: MMAMUS_06

Masters Level Module

This module reflects upon the nature and value of music, musical experience, and music education, tracing central issues in the philosophy of music with reference to the writings of philosophers, musicians, critics and music educators. It begins with the introduction of 19th century thought in which the power of music to penetrate and move the 'inmost self' placed it at the apex of the arts. The question of whether music is to do primarily with the expression of feeling, or with the beautiful unfolding of pure form has been hotly debated, and a study of this debate will take us into the writing of critic Eduard Hanslick, philosophers Suzanne Langer and John Dewey, and musicologist Deryck Cooke. Western philosophical thought is then challenged through consideration of råså, the Javanese philosophy of taste, and students will have the opportunity to explore Javanese gamelan at the South Bank Centre before discussing the philosophical issues. The module will then move on to examine aesthetic questions in relation to the assessment of music and musical ability, and educational issues such as whether music can be understood as a form of knowledge. The philosophical exploration of musical value, meaning and experience will throughout the module inform and enrich the understanding of music educational aims, setting and transactions.

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