Pro-Seminar 1 & 2

Aims and objectives:

This sequence of two courses introduces basic approaches to research and writing, and is geared specifically to the field of music. The courses cover theoretical and methodological foundations of musicology, including bibliography, historiography, ethnography, analysis, and criticism. These subjects are taught through extensive reading and discussion. Students are required to write reports and/or produce a term paper related to the subject of their research.

Course duration:

48 hours over two semesters.

Assessment:

Coursework (100%). Grades are expressed as either Pass or Fail.

Regulations:

All entering students are required to take this course during their first year. Confirmation of a student's candidature at the end of the probationary first year depends upon the satisfactory completion of this course. The course meets for two hours every week.

Aims and objectives:

These research seminars introduce fundamental issues and specialised topics of recent interest in musicology and composition through intensive reading and discussion. They are taught by faculty members and visiting scholars from Hong Kong and abroad. The seminars aim to broaden students' awareness of the wide range of approaches and perspectives currently available in musicology and composition.

Assessment:

Coursework (100%). Grades are expressed as either Pass or Fail.

Regulations:

All M.Phil. and Ph.D. students are required to take four consecutive semesters of this course. The course meets for two hours each week.

Musicology
Both Ph.D. and M.Phil. Musicology students are required to carry out original research leading to the completion of a thesis. While an M.Phil. thesis should showcase the candidate's ability to do research and think independently, a Ph.D. thesis is expected to be a major contribution to a field of scholarship. Historical, theoretical, or anthropological approaches to music research are possible, and a wide variety of topics will be considered. Such topics may include classical, traditional, or popular idioms of various regions, including Asia (particularly Hong Kong, China, and the Philippines), Europe (particularly France, Germany, and Italy), and North America. Research in the areas of film, multimedia, aesthetics, ethnography, and the social and cultural contexts of music is encouraged. Other subject areas may be possible if a suitable faculty member is available.

Composition
Composition students are required to complete a portfolio of original works in addition to submitting a research thesis, or a number of short essays, on issues related to composition and adjacent fields, such as analysis or music theory. Students may compose for a variety of media, including voice, musical instruments of Western and Eastern origin, or electro-acoustic instruments. Specialisation in computer-assisted musical creativity, utilising the resources offered by the electronic studio, and the exploration of various musical styles and idioms, including popular and commercial musics, are also possible. Innovative projects that combine composition with writing, technology, or any other art forms are particularly encouraged.

Supervision
The research and writing process is guided by a supervisor whose research interests are compatible with that of the student's. Potential students may contact faculty members to discuss possible research areas. A supervisor will normally be appointed once the student is accepted into the programme, however, if a student's research interests are not yet clearly defined at the time of application, the Postgraduate Advisor will serve as an interim supervisor until a permanent one is appointed. A permanent supervisor will normally be appointed by the end of the first semester after registration, if not before, and it is generally by mutual agreement between the student and faculty member.

All postgraduate students are required to attend the Department's research colloquia given by local and international scholars and composers. Ph.D. candidates must also give at least one presentation on their thesis research within the framework of the colloquia series. M.Phil. candidates are also eligible for such presentations, pending approval of their supervisor.

In addition to the Department's requirements, the Graduate School offers a number of basic courses that are compulsory for all entering postgraduate students. These courses must be successfully completed within the first year of study for confirmation of candidacy. Further information on Graduate School course requirements may be found on the Graduate School website at www.hku.hk/gradsch/web/student/course/index.htm