Doctor of Philosophy in Music

The primary purpose of the qualification is to provide Doctor of Philosophy in Music graduates with the knowledge, specific skills and applied competence in the field of music to provide opportunities for continued personal intellectual growth, gainful economic activity and to make valuable contributions to society.

A second purpose of the qualification is to provide South Africa (and other countries) with high-level graduates in music in order to ensure that the leadership base of innovative and knowledge-based scholarly activity is widened.

A third purpose of the qualification is to provide South Africa (and other countries) with people who can understand the constructive role they need to play as intellectual leaders in their society and who are empowered to play that role.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

RPL may be used to grant access to the qualification to those learners who do not meet the minimum entry requirements.

Learners who register for this qualification can

• Learn from written as well as aural (musical) material.
• Communicate their research findings logically and coherently in sustained discourse.
• Take responsibility for their own progress.

The degree comprises research and the writing of a thesis worth 360 Credits at Level 10.

1. Be culturally and aesthetically sensitive across a range of social contexts.
2. Develop entrepreneurial opportunities by drawing on music knowledge, skills and attitudes.
3. Make an original and significant contribution to music knowledge.
4. Engage in highly advanced critical thinking and creative problem solving within a focused research context.
5. Apply principles of sound research practice in collecting, organising and critically evaluating information.
6. Communicate the contents of the discipline and the results of the research to a range of audiences.
7. Display technical accuracy in an area of music research or within an inter-disciplinary context.

• Demonstrate the requisite study skills and research strategies.
• Organise their research plans.
• Think independently and in original ways.
• Demonstrate advanced research skills.
• Use library and other research resources effectively to suit the needs of the particular areas of their research.
• Integrate information effectively from a variety of sources.
• Demonstrate the conventions of music scholarship.
• Follow relevant conventions and guidelines for own academic and personal purposes.
• Critically analyse theories, examples and academic viewpoints.
• Argue appropriately within the relevant discourse community.
• Communicate their ideas effectively and provide supporting evidence in a sustained manner.
• Evaluate conclusions and premises in academic arguments in a sophisticated manner.
• Follow the language and notation conventions of written (and/or oral) use in the disciplines of musicology.
• Use statistics appropriately and responsibly in support of their research.
• Create and use visual and auditory material appropriately to support own research.
• Use language to analyse, evaluate and critique the musical ideas and theories of others.
• Read and write musical notation effectively.
• Communicate with professionals in the field both nationally and internationally.
• Demonstrate responsibility towards music scholarship and technology.
• Use scientific methods of investigation, testing and evaluation in an advanced manner in the field of music.
• Use technology (synthesizers, audio-mix, computers, etc.) if appropriate in the research project.
• Demonstrate consideration of the ethics involved in the musical preference and choice of individuals, groups, communities and societies.
• Show respect and openness towards the psychological, health and physical environment of others through the medium of music.
• Draw upon own prior knowledge (personal and abstract) and personal experience as appropriate at an advanced level when investigating and analysing the world.
• Look beyond and across traditional disciplinary boundaries for possible solutions.
• Demonstrate comprehensive knowledge of the discipline/field and relate it to own research.
• Use competent research strategies to further own learning and that of others.
• Apply research findings in different contexts, both personal and public, real and simulated.
• Show evidence of effective research methodologies.
• Value diversity and the opinions of others.
• Take considered/informed risks.
• Apply what one knows in culturally diverse contexts to the advantage of individuals and communities.
• Constructively engage with cultural (and in particular, musical) diversity at a highly advanced level.
• Where appropriate to the particular research, use various skills to draw out the cultural (especially musical) accomplishments and contexts of others (e.g., listening skills, empathy, sympathy, open-mindedness, etc.).
• Contribute to the aesthetic life of communities through their expertise in the field of music.
• Make connections at an advanced level between theoretical knowledge and practical application in the real world.
• Identify the research skills in musicology which are highly valued in the workplace, across the disciplines and sectors of society.
• Use the skills required for efficiency in music-related professional situations: imaginative intelligence, emotional maturity, effective communication skills, thoughtful accuracy and interpersonal sensitivity.
• Deal effectively with unknown problems and tasks in the real world, by drawing upon the skills derived from doing research.
• Expand, redefine and reconfigure existing knowledge.
• Write a thesis that can withstand international intellectual scrutiny.
• Demonstrate a high degree of abstraction when analysing and synthesising information within an area of musicological research.
• Attain a high level of philosophical sophistication when reflecting on information within an area of musicological research.
• Document the problem statement and aims and objectives, the research design or plan, methodology, results and conclusions in an academically respectable and acceptable manner.
• Apply theory to practice in a sophisticated way.
• Show critical acumen in evaluating sources, specifically primary material.
• Develop a logical argument.
• Show independence and insight.
• Display expert, innovative and highly specialised knowledge in the area of research or within an interdisciplinary context.
• Present material clearly and systematically.
• Use an acceptable style and presentation.
• Provide a good critical survey of the material.
• Show ability to document research with complete accuracy.
• Use a systematic and consistent approach to technical issues such as the layout of the thesis.

Integrated Assessment

Integrated assessment for the purpose of the qualification

1. Formative Assessment: In the course of undertaking the required research and writing the thesis there will be constant and personal interaction between lecturer (promoter) and student.
2. Summative Assessment: The product to be evaluated is the Doctor of Music (DMus) thesis.
3. Integrated Assessment: All assessment will integrate knowledge, skills and attitudes and applied competence.