Syllabus

• Week 1

  Form – Don’t bore us, get to the chorus!

  • Welcome

    This week, you explore form in popular music. You are introduced to terms for categorising the formal sections of a song such as ‘verse’ and ‘chorus’, along with less familiar terms including ‘pre-chorus’ and ‘bridge’.

  • Introduction to verse-chorus form

    In this activity, you explore your initial understanding of well-known song sections such as ‘verse’ and ‘chorus’, and lesser-known song sections such as ‘bridge’. You also find out how to apply these terms when analysing a song.

  • Analysing form

    In this activity, you analyse the form of Marvin Gaye’s ‘What’s Going On’ using a table. You also explore the relationship of form to meaning.

  • Summary

    You have reached the end of Week 1. In this activity, you reflect on what you learnt and look ahead to Week 2. You also have the opportunity to explore a glossary of terms that appear throughout the course.

• Week 2

  Persona – Is this the real life? Is this just fantasy?

  • About Week 2

    This week, you explore how persona relates to authenticity and meaning.

  • Introduction to persona

    In this activity, you explore ‘authenticity’ in popular music.

  • Analysing persona

    In this activity, you have the opportunity to analyse the persona of Marvin Gaye’s ‘What’s Going On’ using a table to add your responses.

  • Summary

    In this activity, you reflect on Week 2 of the course. You have the opportunity to read a summary of the key topics and find out what’s coming up in Week 3.

• Week 3

  Personic environment – While my guitar gently weeps

  • About Week 3

    This week, you explore what the ‘personic environment’ is and how the personic environment of a song relates to its possible meanings.

  • Introduction to the personic environment

    In this activity, you explore what is meant by ‘personic environment’. You find out how a personic environment is constructed in popular songs by using music theory terminology and visual aids.

  • Analysing the personic environment

    In this activity, you analyse the personic environment of Marvin Gaye’s ‘What’s Going On’. You also explore the role of personic environment and its relationship to meaning.

  • Summary

    In this activity, you reflect on Week 3 of the course. You have the opportunity to read a summary of the key topics, and find out what’s coming up in Week 4.

• Week 4

  Meaning – What does it all mean?

  • About Week 4

    This week, you focus on meaning in popular music, bringing together your learning from Weeks 1-3. Drawing on the analytical tables you previously produced, you interpret the meaning of the song you analysed in Week 2.

  • Introduction to meaning

    In this activity, you interpret the meaning of an ambiguous song.

  • Interpreting meaning

    In this activity, you interpret the meaning of Marvin Gaye’s ‘What’s Going On’ using the table you assembled during Weeks 1-3. You also write about another song and provide feedback on another learner’s interpretation of a song.

  • What’s next for you?

    In this activity, you reflect on your learning and find out about studying at the University of Leeds. You explore undergraduate programmes and career paths following study of popular music theory and analysis.

  • Summary

    In this final activity, you are invited to participate in the end of course test to help embed your learning. You also have the opportunity to explore the opportunities available to study at the University of Leeds.

Who will you learn with?