The purpose of this module is to introduce Western plainchant from its beginnings until the later Middle Ages, exploring it in its historical, social, religious, liturgical, intellectual and aesthetic contexts. This will include an investigation of its origins and evolution; nature, materials, forms and styles in relation to function, date and place; written sources and their palaeography; notation (general concepts and features, notations of particular regions and periods, and principles and techniques of transcription and editing). As such, this module will facilitate an understanding of methodologies and theoretical paradigms relevant to the study and performance of Western plainchant, drawing on both historical musicological and ethnomusicological approaches.

This module lays the basis for important research and methodologies that relate to the performance practice of Western plainchant. It will introduce students to fundamental research tools in primary and secondary sources, bibliographic and referencing techniques, historical contextual knowledge, musical palaeography and semiotics. The methodological approach is presented as an interdisciplinary pursuit combining historical musicology, ethnomusicology, semiotics and relevant critical theory.

On successful completion of this module, students will be able to 1. Analyse the text, modality and melody of Gregorian chant. 2. Relate the function of chants to their liturgical setting. 3. Compare the notational and melodic traditions across different geographical and temporal centres. 4. Identify and interpret the notations of Western plainchant.

On successful completion of this module, students will be able to 1. Recognise the inadequacy of simplistic explanations in evidence-based research.

On successful completion of this module, students will be able to 1. Transcribe with reasonable accuracy the neumes of certain early notations.

This module combines seminar presentations, practical work in notation and sight-reading of historical music notation, as well as laboratories in transcription, semiotics and palaeography. Seminar presentations will combine source material studies, theoretical discussion, and presentations drawn from historical, semiotical, and cross-cultural practices. Recent scholarship which is of particular relevance includes work on chant and orality - Leo Treitler, 'With Voice and Pen', Peter Jeffery, 'Ethnomusicology in the Study of Gregorian Chant' - as well as the current and ongoing work of leading scholars such as Susan Rankin, Katarina Livljanic, David Hiley, James Grier, Emma Hornby and Edward Nowacki, amongst others. The work in the module is project-based, and includes chant transcription assignments which engage students in demonstrating their knowledge of materials and methods in a creative and articulate manner. In some cases the students will be encouraged to work in teams to develop a collaborative approach to research.