Why is music as an art form controlled and occasionally criminalised by the state? What are the potential implications for artistic expression and cultural freedom within society? You will approach the relationship between music and law from two main points of view: one theoretical, and the other critical and sociological. You will first explore how music and the soundscape have been theorised as a specific legal and political problem in the field of Law and the Humanities. Drawing on these theoretical principles, you will go on to examine state intervention in censoring or controlling music and the attempt at criminalising specific genres of music. A specific focus will be the use of rap music in criminal trials in the UK and US, and the use of lawsuits as a weapon to criminalise heavy metal bands.
Lectures 16 hours, Workshops 16 hours
Extended Writing. Assessment Details: Essay (3000 words) worth 70%. This Assessment is Pass Compulsory.
10 minutes plus slides Presentation. Assessment Details: Group Presentation worth 30%.
Reassessment Method: Like-for-like
For reading lists see detailed module information on moodle.
On successfully completing the module, students will be able to:
1)Explain how the relationship between music and the legal sphere has been theorised
2)Accurately deploy specific techniques of critical analysis and enquiry within law and the humanities
3)Identify how and why governmental power controls and censors music, from a historical and sociological point of view
4)Devise and sustain arguments, using ideas and techniques introduced in the module, to analyse particular aspects of society, the cultural industry, and the regulation of social behaviour
5) Make appropriate use of academic research material to develop reasoned critical and analytical arguments relating to music and law.
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