Music and Philosophy, BA (Hons)

The BA in Music and Philosophy allows students to explore both disciplines and their intersections within Durham's dynamic departments, situated in a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This program blends traditional and contemporary music studies, covering diverse genres, musicology, composition, analysis, ethnomusicology, and performance, while in philosophy, students examine metaphysics, epistemology, and moral philosophy. Options include adding a placement year or study abroad, extending the degree to four years.In the first year, core and optional modules provide a broad foundation, such as Historical Studies 1, Ethics and Values, and Knowledge and Reality. The second year focuses on advanced critical skills through specialized topics, leading to a third-year independent project like a dissertation, composition portfolio, or recital. Assessment methods include continuous evaluation, exams, and performances, emphasizing independent research development.

Year 1 Core modules: Historical Studies 1 introduces the historical study of the Western art music tradition, covering music from the baroque to late classical periods. A number of representative musical works from the period are explored and you will deepen your knowledge of those works and the contexts of their composition and reception, while also acquiring skills foundational to the practice of historical musicology. Ethics and Values provides a structured introduction to moral philosophy, including applied ethics, by exploring key moral concepts and showing how they influence moral practices and theories. Knowledge and Reality introduces philosophical problems in epistemology (the study of knowledge), and metaphysics (the study of reality and ourselves). In recent years, optional modules have included: Introduction to Ethnomusicology Analysis 1: Elements of Tonal Theory and Practice Historical Composition Techniques Composition 1: 20th Century Innovations Performance 1 – with recital/with essay Reading Philosophy Science, Medicine and Society Being Human: An Introduction to Post-Kantian Philosophy.