MUSC 220: Medieval Music: Women, and Performance (HC)

Robinet Testard, Allegory of Music, 1496-1498, from Le livre des échecs amoureux moralisés.  Ten figures make music, including two older men singing, three choirboys, one man playing bagpipes, one man playing shawm, one man playing pipe and tabor, one woman with no instrument visible, and the central woman playing psaltery. Bibliothèque nationale de France, Français 143, fol. 65v (Source: Wikimedia Commons, Public domain)  For information on the text and on Testard, see Feminae, "Mermaid from Neptune."

As you work on your research, remember:

• BE CRITICAL: Not all sources are created equal, whether in print or online. Ask questions like who wrote what you're reading, is it peer-reviewed, what sources are they citing, and so on.

• BE CREATIVE: Some searching will lead to dead ends, but that doesn't necessarily mean it's an end after all. Those lacunae of research are often where interest lies. In other words, don't rehash other's research, but rather use theirs to bolster your own unique take. 

• BE PATIENT: Research is a fluid process. As you research, your questions will evolve, and that is an excellent sign. If, however, you ever get stuck, ask for help! Prof. Freedman and I are always happy to help you think through your process.