Medieval culture - Afternoon

Course Programme

14:00       Boethius: Music theory and education in the Middle Ages  Dr Martin Parker Dixon

In the middle ages, the area of study traditionally known as ‘music theory’ thrived in the intersection of mathematics, occult mysticism, aesthetics, axiology (theory of value), physics, physiological and perceptual theory. As such, music theory gives us a picture of the cultures of learning and systems of belief prior to the modern, post-Enlightenment separation of knowledge into distinct regimes of arts and sciences.

15:15 Tea

15:45       Monks, manuscripts and machines: science in the not-so-Dark Ages Dr Seb Falk

We will explore the medieval universe. Far from the stereotype of a 'dark age', scholars in monasteries and universities studied both the earth and heavens, drawing on distant cultures and making scientific knowledge a key part of Christian faith. We will examine their instruments and writings, to understand how the medieval cosmos worked, and why it mattered.

17.00 Finish

Dr Martin Parker Dixon studied guitar and composition at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, and read for his PhD at Wolfson College Cambridge. He was a lecturer in music at the University of Glasgow for 17 years and is now a Tutor at Fitzwilliam College, Cambridge. His research interests are music aesthetics.

Dr Seb Falk is a Research Fellow in History of Science at Girton College.  He holds degrees from the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge.  He has lectured in the History Faculty and Department of History and Philosophy of Science at Cambridge.  His research focusses on the instruments and methods of astronomy used by monks and the relationship between science and religion in the Middle Ages. 

Lunch

A selection of sandwiches will be available to purchase in the Terrace Bar.

Additional requirements

ICE is committed to providing equality of opportunity and to a proactive and inclusive approach to equality. We aim to support and encourage under-represented groups, promote an inclusive culture, and value diversity.

Further information about student support.

Entry requirements

No academic qualification is required, and most courses are suitable for students who are new to the subject.

All teaching is in English (unless a foreign-language course). If your first language is not English, you need to satisfy yourself that you have the required near-native command of the language to get the maximum benefit from studying with ICE.

This course takes place at Madingley Hall, home to the University of Cambridge Institute of Continuing Education.

About Madingley Hall

Madingley Hall itself is an impressive manor house dating back to the mid-16th century. The decoration of the Saloon and the formal Stair Hall was carried out 200 years later, and the whole fabric was renovated with great care around 1900. About four miles from the centre of Cambridge, the Hall stands in several acres of beautifully-maintained gardens and overlooks a landscape which has changed relatively little since it was laid out by Capability Brown. It is just four miles from the centre of Cambridge, and only 60 minutes from London, with excellent links to London airports.

Getting here

For more information see directions to Madingley Hall

We now have a mini-bus service which runs between the station and Madingley Hall. For the timetable and further information, please see our Lifelong Learning page or contact the reception desk at ICE.