Overview

The programme is made up of the following modules: 

• English for Academic Purposes (2 x 30 credits)
• Department of Music foundation modules (4 x 15 credits)

English for Academic Purposes modules (30 credits each)

Students on all IFC Pathways take both of these core modules, designed to develop your ability and confidence in the four key areas of writing, reading, listening and speaking.

Academic Reading and Writing

The module covers the key aspects of writing an essay. These include features of academic style, the planning process, structuring an argument, summarising, paraphrasing techniques, referencing, avoiding plagiarism, and drafting and editing. Emphasis is given to the logic underlying Western academic writing conventions, rather than simply looking at the procedural aspects. This is supported by work on the main areas of English grammar, with a focus on improving grammatical range and accuracy in your writing. Reading skills are also developed.

Textual analysis helps you learn about cohesion, extend your vocabulary, read for gist and specifics, infer meaning, as well as develop summary skills. The texts generally focus on a background to Western thought and culture, taking into account ancient Greeks and Romans, the Renaissance, the Enlightenment and the influence of modernity, feminism and Marxism. There is an emphasis on how to use reading in writing – learning from other writers’ style and using their points as evidence for your arguments.

Academic Listening and Speaking

To enhance listening skills, the module makes use of a wide range of texts, drawing firstly on commercially produced EAP materials to help you acquire the skills of listening for gist and specific information, and taking useful notes. Later, the module moves on to recordings from Goldsmiths library as well as BBC radio shows. You are exposed to a range of challenging and interesting recordings related to the arts, current affairs, media, education and aspects of British culture.

Many of the recordings are relevant to subjects studied at Goldsmiths, for example race and ethnicity, representation, identity and culture. Where possible, the recordings are exploited for vocabulary development. To develop speaking skills, you will research and give seminar presentations and lead the class through discussion of your chosen topic. You will receive input on effective seminar techniques and functional language.

Department of Music foundation modules

You take the following four modules in the Department of Music:

Music in Context (15 credits)

You will be introduced to the development of music in its historical and cultural context. The module explores musical repertoires of all kinds (from classical, electronic, to popular) and of all periods (from medieval, renaissance to contemporary). You will focus particularly upon the stylistic/formal changes in music. As part of the course, you will develop your understanding and aural perception of diverse musical styles, and familiarise yourself with technical terms and definitions important in musical studies.

Topics in Music Studies (15 credits)

You will develop your understanding of music studies and be introduced to a variety of musical works that have acquired importance in western culture/ The works will be chosen from not only the art music category but also from music in popular or commercial vein to demonstrate a variety of forms, performance forces, styles and cultural functions. Also the module will require you to reflect on why musical works have become accepted in the way they have, and whether things might have been otherwise.

Performance and Analysis (15 credits)

You will develop not only performance techniques, which makes you a more confident performer, but also analytic methods of musical investigation, which enable you to understand music more fully and to reflect that understanding in your performance. As part of the module, you will be given 12 hours of individual instrumental/ vocal tuition.

Composition and Music Technology (15 credits)

You will be introduced to a number of compositional techniques and develop basic musico-technological skills.

Assessment

The English for Academic Purposes modules of the programme are assessed by a mixture of coursework, written examination and presentation. The music modules will include assessment of a portfolio of harmony exercises and composition, a research project and a listening assessment. 

Download the programme specification for this degree to find out more about what you'll learn and how you'll be taught and assessed.

Please note that due to staff research commitments not all of these modules may be available every year.