Music and Politics during the Middle Ages 750-1500

The history of medieval music provides an opportunity to investigate the relationship between political power and cultural activities. The course’s main topic is the interrelationship between ecclesiastical and "governmental" institutions in relation to music and the role of composers. The seminar will also try to answer the question of which function ecclesiastical music played in the political reality of the Middle Ages.

A candidate who has passed the exams is expected to have the following outcome of his/her studies (in relation to the description of the course, defined as knowledge and abilities): The candidate is informed about the role of music in historical and political contexts during the Middle Ages and the Renaissance (800–1600). The candidate has a broad overview about musical and historical tendencies during the period. The candidate is informed about selected musical pieces and their cultural-historical contexts. The candidate has knowlegde about selected historical and musicological methods, original sources and notational practices. The candidate is informed about the social context of music and musicians. The candidate is informed about the relevance of artistic musical articulation in public communication (political and religious) during the Middle Ages and the Renaissance. Abilities: The candidate is able to analyse selected historical and musicological data and to draw conclusions under interdisciplinary perspectives. The candidate is able to read, reproduce, and to interpret complex historical and musicological litterature in selected examples.

The course starts with an introduction to music and political/cultural history. During the seminar participants are to deliver a short presentation based on an article of their choice selected from a list of relevant literature.