Course: Theory of Popular Music

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Course title Theory of Popular Music
Course code KMU/TPH
Organizational form of instruction Lecture + Seminary
Level of course Master
Year of study not specified
Semester Winter and summer
Number of ECTS credits 4
Language of instruction Czech
Status of course Compulsory, Compulsory-optional
Form of instruction Face-to-face
Work placements This is not an internship
Recommended optional programme components None
Lecturer(s)
  • Blüml Jan, Mgr. Ph.D.
Course content
Topic 1: The Frankfurt School, Adorno 1 Topic 2: The Frankfurt School, Adorno 2 Topic 3: The Reception and Critique of Adorno Topic 4: Jazz as Protest Topic 5: The Birmingham School (CCCS) Topic 6: The Study of British Subcultures in the 1970s Topic 7: The Critique of 1970s Subcultural Research and Post-subcultural Studies Topic 8: Popular Music Studies, IASPM, Simon Frith Topic 9: "Popular Music Studies" vs. "Popular Musicology" Topic 10: Analysis of Popular Music Topic 11: New Approaches to the Analysis of Popular Music Topic 12: Popular Music Research in the Czech Lands

Learning activities and teaching methods
Lecture, Dialogic Lecture (Discussion, Dialog, Brainstorming)
  • Attendace - 26 hours per semester
  • Homework for Teaching - 15 hours per semester
  • Semestral Work - 20 hours per semester
  • Preparation for the Exam - 39 hours per semester
Learning outcomes
The course introduces theoretical approaches to popular music, or the development of popular music research in a global and domestic context.
Students will gain knowledge of the development of theoretical reflection on popular music, they will be able to think about scientific disciplines in a broader context, namely in relation to what determines their emergence and social significance.
Prerequisites
Students are expected to have an advanced knowledge of the history of musicology, scientific methodology and music theory.

Assessment methods and criteria
Written exam, Student performance, Seminar Work

--thorough knowledge of the literature and the issues with which the student is introduced during the course --completion of the assigned tasks (good level of content and form) --student prepares and presents a paper on the assigned scientific study (length 25 min., text and pp of the presentation, possible use of music samples, etc.; in particular, the focus should be on methodology, theoretical approaches applied, their background, etc.) --activity and discussion during classes is also evaluated --if the student does not submit and present the assigned tasks within the given deadlines, he/she will not receive the attestation
Recommended literature
  • Adorno, T. W. (2002). Essays on Music. Berkeley.
  • Blüml, Opekar. Popular Music Research behind the Iron Curtain. Berlin. 2025.
  • Edwards, Tim. (2010). Kulturální teorie. Praha.
  • Frith, Simon. (1998). Performing Rites: on the Value of Popular Music. Cambridge.
  • Hebdige, Dick. (2012). Subkultura a styl. Praha.
  • Willis, Paul. (1978). Profane Culture. London.


Study plans that include the course
Faculty Study plan (Version) Category of Branch/Specialization Recommended year of study Recommended semester
Faculty: Faculty of Arts Study plan (Version): Musicology (2019) Category: Theory and history of arts - Recommended year of study:-, Recommended semester: -
Faculty: Faculty of Arts Study plan (Version): Musicology (2026) Category: Theory and history of arts - Recommended year of study:-, Recommended semester: -
Faculty: Faculty of Arts Study plan (Version): Musicology (2026) Category: Theory and history of arts - Recommended year of study:-, Recommended semester: -
Faculty: Faculty of Arts Study plan (Version): Musicology (2019) Category: Theory and history of arts - Recommended year of study:-, Recommended semester: -