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Unit outline_

CMPN1331: Composition for Creative Industries 1

Semester 1, 2020 [Normal day] - Sydney

The rationale behind this unit of study is to explore fundamental concepts of music as related to build upon Concepts of Music through Composition 1 where fundamental concepts of music are explored via the medium of a portfolio of compositions. Musical compositions may be completed via various means: musical notation, improvisation, recorded audio and their combinations. It also allows for students to curate an individual creative project and be supported via a scaffolded process. This unit is the first pathway for students interested in exploring such issues in the Creative Music program as part of the Bachelor of Music.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Composition and Music Technology
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
? 
None
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Paul Stanhope, paul.stanhope@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s) Paul Stanhope, paul.stanhope@sydney.edu.au
Tutor(s) Ella Macens, ella.macens@sydney.edu.au
Natalie Nicolas, natalie.nicolas@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Creative assessment / demonstration Composition toolbox (replaces 'arrangement' tasks)
See canvas site for details.
25% - Equivalent to 1000 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO7 LO6 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2
Assignment 'Concepts' short composition assignment 1a and b, assignment 2
Composition
30% - Equivalent to 2000 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Assignment 'Concepts' Short Composition Assignments 3(a and b) and 4
Composition
30% - Equivalent to 2000 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Participation Participation/application 'concepts'
Participation
10% Weekly n/a
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO7 LO6 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2
Participation Participation/application 'composition toolbox'
Participation
5% Weekly n/a
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO7 LO6 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2

Assessment summary

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas. 

Assessment criteria

• Creativity: 40%• Craft: 40%• Presentation: 20%

The following guide provides a reference with regards marking expectations. However, it should be noted that staff might interpret the criteria as deemed appropriate to the assignments.

Creativity (40%)

Exceptional (34-40): An original contribution to musical thinking. Convincing, confident, imaginative, personal, bold, risk-taking, engaging.

Superior (30-33): Convincing musical logic and direction. Engagement with repertory goes beyond imitation. Techniques thoroughly understood and integrated with an imaginative response.

Competent (26-29): Influences of other composers are evident, and display steps towards taking such influences into a new, personal direction.

Acceptable (20-25): Creative choices could be more imaginative; a tendency to be overly simplistic.

Unacceptable (19 or less): Work is substandard, under-researched and lazy.

Craft (40%)

Exceptional (34-40): Obvious and unequivocal command of resources. Technique is matched to creative intentions.

Superior (30-33): Musical structure is fluent and lucid throughout. Displays sophisticated ability to develop and manipulate material. Advanced use of materials.

Competent (26-29): Displays some coherent structure and displays an amount of clarity but could be more sophisticated.

Acceptable (20-25): A limited capacity to express musical ideas with appropriate instrumental and/or digital media. A tendency to be overly generic.

Unacceptable (20 or less): Fundamental technical errors evident in notation or audio production is substandard and generic; understanding of instruments, musical form, etc.

Presentation (20%)

Exceptional (18-20): The standard of a professional commercial publication, production or situation. High quality audio output.

Competent (15-17): Attractive scores or good quality audio but could be more professional in a number of areas.

Acceptable (10-14): Notation legible but may still include unnecessary ambiguity and poor editing / formatting. Audio production using generic elements only.

Unacceptable (9 or less): Scores full of technical mistakes, poor spelling, formatting errors and do not meet necessary standards of legibility. Audio production substandard and using only generic materials (e.g. unedited Sibelius playback)

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

  • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
  • After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

You may only use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator. If you do use these tools, you must acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section. The assessment instructions or unit outline will give guidance of the types of tools that are permitted and how the tools should be used.

Your final submitted work must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of generative AI tools that have been used in the assessment, and any material that forms part of your submission must be appropriately referenced. For guidance on how to acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the AI in Education Canvas site.

The unapproved use of these tools or unacknowledged use will be considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply.

Studiosity is permitted unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission as detailed on the Learning Hub’s Canvas page.

Outside assessment tasks, generative AI tools may be used to support your learning. The AI in Education Canvas site contains a number of productive ways that students are using AI to improve their learning.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Multiple weeks Composition Toolbox Online class (12 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Concepts of music Online class (24 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7

Attendance and class requirements

  • Attendance: Students are expected to attend a minimum of 90% of all timetabled activities for a unit of study, unless granted exemption by the Dean, Head of School or professor most concerned. The Dean, Head of School or professor most concerned may determine that a student fails a unit of study because of inadequate attendance. In addition, students are expected to be at 100% of classes with a participatory component: tutorials and workshops are deemed as having a 100% attendance requirement. 90% = one class missed without explanation. If you do not attend, please document your absence with 1) an email in advance to your lecturer or tutor 2) a Doctor’s certificate to justify your absence or 3) apply through special cOnsideration or disabilities services for a program of adjustment as required. In the case of misadventure – please document this (e.g. attendance at a funeral).

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

Elaine Gould ‘Behind Bars’ Faber Music.

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. organise pitch in a variety of ways
  • LO2. explore vertical and horizontal pitch relationships
  • LO3. organise and notate rhythms and cyclical ostinato patterns
  • LO4. explore the potential of organising musical compositions with small motifs
  • LO5. compose and arrange short pieces with musical notation
  • LO6. understand how and why music works from a technical standpoint and have experienced an enhanced knowledge of music theory, and put this theory into musical practice
  • LO7. understand elements of instrumental writing.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1 Depth of disciplinary expertise

Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.

GQ2 Critical thinking and problem solving

Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.

GQ3 Oral and written communication

Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.

GQ4 Information and digital literacy

Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.

GQ5 Inventiveness

Generating novel ideas and solutions.

GQ6 Cultural competence

Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.

GQ7 Interdisciplinary effectiveness

Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.

GQ8 Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity

An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.

GQ9 Influence

Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes Graduate qualities
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

No changes have been made since this unit was last offered.
  • Composition Toolbox: These tutorials take the place of the 'arrangement' assessment task.

Additional costs

Purchase of professional music notation software (e.g. Sibelius, Finale, Dorico) and a DAW (Cubase. Logic etc) is compulsory. MuseScore is not considered a satisfactory software package.

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.