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Unit of study_
MCGY2611: Music from the Middle Ages to Baroque
2025 unit information
This unit explores major topics in the history of Western art music from the 9th century to c. 1750 in a broad historical context. Beginning with Gregorian chant and the invention of music education notation, we investigate a wide range of genres and styles of the Medieval, Renaissance and Baroque eras, as well as innovations including the development of music printing, developments in musical instruments, and the emergence of opera, sonata and concerto. Musical works for analysis and discussion include examples by Hildegard of Bingen, Machaut, Dufay, Josquin, Palestrina, Gesualdo, Monteverdi, Frescobaldi, Corelli, Lully, Purcell, Vivaldi, Handel and J.S. Bach.
Unit details and rules
Managing faculty or University school:
Sydney Conservatorium of Music
| Study level | Undergraduate |
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| Academic unit | Analysis, History and Cultural Studies |
| Credit points | 6 |
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Prerequisites:
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None |
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Corequisites:
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None |
| Prohibitions:
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None |
| Assumed knowledge:
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Ability to read musical notation |
At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:
- LO1. demonstrate a knowledge of key features of the music of the Medieval, Renaissance, and Baroque periods, including a knowledge of major composers and representative musical works, and an understanding of the role of music and musicians in the society and culture of the periods
- LO2. describe and explain the major musical styles, genres and instruments of the periods, and apply relevant analytical methods to the study of this music
- LO3. identify important musical styles, genres, and instruments of the periods aurally and from music notation
- LO4. think, speak, and write critically about Medieval, Renaissance and Baroque music, and use relevant terminology appropriately.
Unit availability
This section lists the session, attendance modes and locations the unit is available in. There is a unit outline for each of the unit availabilities, which gives you information about the unit including assessment details and a schedule of weekly activities.
The outline is published 2 weeks before the first day of teaching. You can look at previous outlines for a guide to the details of a unit.
| Session | MoA ? | Location | Outline ? |
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Semester 2 2025
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Normal day | Sydney |
Outline unavailable
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Modes of attendance (MoA)
This refers to the Mode of attendance (MoA) for the unit as it appears when you’re selecting your units in Sydney Student. Find more information about modes of attendance on our website.
