Dr. Joseph Mason

Assistant Professor

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Biography

Joseph Mason is an Assistant Professor and Early Music Fellow at Clare Hall, affiliated with the Faculty of Music. His research focuses on music in medieval Europe, particularly the song culture of France during the long thirteenth century. He combines elements of historical musicology, music analysis, manuscript studies, critical theory, and digital humanities. Mason is especially interested in exploring how songs influenced the medieval people's understanding of their place in the world through composing, singing, and writing. His current monograph project investigates the relationship between song and violence in thirteenth-century France, arguing that metaphors of violence served as a medium for poet-composers to discuss the meaning of musical acts. He has published work on Old French song and is set to release a study on fourteenth-century motets in 2024, which received the Roland Jackson award from the American Music Society for exceptional merit in music analysis. Mason has previously held teaching positions at New College, Oxford, and the University of Bristol, alongside postdoctoral fellowships at University College Dublin and New College, Oxford. In addition to his academic pursuits, he is an active early music singer and organist, regularly leading workshops on early music performance.

Research Interests

Courses

Music History Workshop (Josquin des Prez) Troubadours and Trouvères Medieval Motets Music Medieval Manuscripts

Requirements for University of Cambridge

Master Program
Requirements
GPA Requirement
Required:3.7
IELTS
Listening
Required:7
Reading
Required:7
Writing
Required:7
Speaking
Required:7
Overall
Required:7.5
TOEFL
Listening
Required:25
Reading
Required:25
Writing
Required:25
Speaking
Required:25
Total
Required:110
Prerequisites
UK Bachelor's Degree with good Upper Second Class Honours or international equivalent Background in international relations, politics, law, economics, security or history is a definite asset
Application Checklist
  • Two academic references
  • Official transcripts
  • CV/Resume
  • Personal statement (approx 500 words)
  • Research proposal (1-2 pages/500 words)
  • Application fee (£50)
Specialization Notes

Standard postgraduate requirements for Department of Politics and International Studies (POLIS) and related humanities departments.