course-details-portlet

MUSV3108

Miles Davis: Biography, Jazz- and Cultur Historical Context

New from the academic year 2014/2015

Credits 7.5
Level Second degree level
Course start Autumn 2014
Duration 1 semester
Language of instruction Norwegian
Examination arrangement Home examination , Assignment

About

About the course

Course content

This subject will give an outline of the discourse which has arisen in relation to Miles Davis’ career as a jazz musician (1945-1990). The course will emphasize analytical insight into central recordings from Miles Davis’ rich production such as his album Kind of Blue which was recognized as a national treasure by the U.S. House of Representatives in 2009. It will be vital through deep listening and reflection to obtain an understanding of his originality as a trumpet player, melody- and groove-maker. Thus it will be important to reach a comprehension of the jazz tradition and the mutual influence between the music of Miles Davis and different popular musics, art music, traditional music and world music. The challenges of jazz historiography and the music of Miles Davis will be discussed together with an elucidation of his role as an Afro-American idol and cultural hero.

Learning outcome

Knowledge:
An examinee with a completed qualification in MUSV3104 

- has in-depth knowledge contemporary jazz history

- has knowledge about historical and updated problems within improvisation practices in jazz and in relation to jazz historiography focusing on the period 1960-1990
Skills:
An examinee with a completed qualification in MUSV3104 

- can express his/her deepened knowledge in a convincing way, both in writing and speech 

- can individually find and assess relevant research based knowledge to illuminate a problem in connection to the music of Miles Davis specifically and jazz improvisation generally.
- can based on his/her deepened knowledge discuss academic texts in a diversified way, enter a dialogue with the texts of others and carry out his/her own reasoning, both in writing and speech 

- can utilize methods specific to jazz historiography and biographical writing within jazz on an independent and critical basis

Learning methods and activities

Lectures and seminars

Compulsory assignments

  • Semester paper

Specific conditions

Required previous knowledge

Requires admission to one of the Bachelor's programmes or Master's programmes in Musicology, Music Technology or Music Performance.

Subject areas

  • Music History
  • Musicology

Contact information

Department with academic responsibility

Department of Music

Examination

Examination

Examination arrangement: Home examination

Ordinary examination - Autumn 2014

Hjemmeeksamen
Grade Letters Weighting 100/100 Date Release 2014-11-24
Submission 2014-12-01
Duration 1 uker

Examination arrangement: Assignment

Ordinary examination - Autumn 2014

Oppgave
Grade Letters Weighting 100/100