Semester 1
MU5361 Ritual Chant and Song Practicum 1
Specialist vocal training in ritual song repertoires, focusing Western plainchant and Irish traditional religious song (sean-nos). Tuition includes solo vocal technique and repertoire classes, and instruction in schola and ensemble singing.
MD6151 Materials, Methods and Context for Western Chant 1
An introduction to the contexts and theoretical paradigms underpinning Western plainchant, focusing on the historical, liturgical and material contexts of Gregorian chant, the palaeography and semiotics of early chant notations, and the modal theory of Gregorian chant.
MD6021 Introduction to Fieldwork Techniques
In this module you will learn appropriate methods and techniques for research and documentation of performance practices in the field. Topics relating to fieldwork, ethical principles, participant observation, interview techniques, and fieldnote taking are covered. Key issues in epistemology and methodology for such research will be raised and discussed and will be informed by supporting literature.
MD6041 Introduction to Ritual Studies
This module provides an introduction to ritual studies as an inter-disciplinary discourse drawing on anthropology, sociology, religious studies, ethnomusicology, ethnochoreology, festive arts and performance studies. It introduces a number of ritual case studies including historical and cross-cultural examples, with an emphasis on Irish ritual practices.
MD6o61 Introduction to Somatics
This module will ensure that students are educated in somatic practices that promote a healthy and mindful approach to movement. The continued development of an integrated mind/body approach will enable students to perform with greater efficiency and will minimize their risk of injury.
Options
MD6051 Independent Study 1
This module provides a space to engage in the study of a topic/subject of their own choice. Students organise their tuition and the assessment mechanism in consultation with their course director. A broad range of existing modules from the various postgraduate offers at the Academy is also available for students to chose from.
MD6111 Colloquium 1
This module exposes students to scholarship and performance practices from a wide variety of music and dance and related disciplines, enabling students to broaden their perspectives on their own specialisation as well as experience presentations from scholars and performers in cognate disciplines. Students are expected to attend a minimum of five seminars from the various series offered in the Academy.
Semester 2
MU5362 Ritual Chant and Song Practicum 2
Specialist vocal training building on Ritual Chant and Song Practicum 1, focusing on more advanced song/chant genres within the key repertoires of Western plainchant and Irish traditional religious song (sean-nos). Tuition includes solo vocal technique and repertoire classes, and instruction in schola singing and facilitating ensemble performance.
MD6142 Materials, Methods and Context for Western Chant 2
An advanced investigation of the contexts and theoretical paradigms underpinning Western plainchant, including the study of non-Gregorian chant repertoires, genres that build upon chant (e.g. polyphony, tropes), and advanced palaeographical skills.
MD6132 Advanced Ritual Studies
This module explores current theories of ritual practice with an emphasis on nascent, emergent and creative dimensions of ritual. It engages with questions of ritual media, with a particular emphasis on sonic and gestural dimensions .The module is taught in two sections (a)a survey of religious ritual practices in Ireland (b) an introduction to ritual laboratory as research method.
MD6061 Introduction to Somatics 2
This module will ensure that students are educated in somatic practices that promote a healthy and mindful approach to movement. The continued development of an integrated mind/body approach will enable students to perform with greater efficiency and will minimize their risk of injury.
Options
MD6052 Independent Study 2
This module provides a space to engage in the study of a topic/subject of their own choice. Students organise their tuition and the assessment mechanism in consultation with their course director. A broad range of existing modules from the various postgraduate offers at the Academy is also available for students to chose from.
MD6111 Colloquium 2
This module exposes students to scholarship and performance practices from a wide variety of music and dance and related disciplines, enabling students to broaden their perspectives on their own specialisation as well as experience presentations from scholars and performers in cognate disciplines. Students are expected to attend a minimum of five seminars from the various series offered in the Academy.
Semester 3
MD5522 Final Presentation
The MA in Ritual Chant and Song culminates with a final presentation, in which students undertake an independent research project. This may take the form of one of three options, decided in consultation with the course director and based on a student’s winter exam results.
- a final performance recital
- a full MA thesis submission (15,000-20,000 words), or
- a 50%/50% combination of both modalities (7,500-10,000 words for the thesis portion).
Optional second year
The MA Ritual Chant & Song is a one year, full-time postgraduate programme of study. Students may be permitted to extend their study over a second full-time year subject to available places, the agreement of the course director and the director of the Irish World Academy.
