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Unit outline_

CMPN1602: Composition 2

Semester 2, 2024 [Normal day] - Sydney

The development of compositional technique is integral to the ability to best express musical ideas and material. The focus of this unit is the creative work of students which is developed through the study of a range of compositional topics. Building on foundations established in Composition 1, Composition 2 further extends creative strategies via the investigation of more experimental music techniques.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Composition and Music Technology
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
? 
CMPN1601
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

Students should own a professional music notation program (e.g. Sibelius, Finale, Dorico)

Available to study abroad and exchange students

No

Teaching staff

Coordinator Paul Stanhope, paul.stanhope@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s) Paul Stanhope, paul.stanhope@sydney.edu.au
Tutor(s) Peggy Polias, peggy.polias@sydney.edu.au
Amanda Cole, amanda.cole@sydney.edu.au
Oliver Cameron, oliver.cameron@sydney.edu.au
The census date for this unit availability is 2 September 2024
Type Description Weight Due Length
Small continuous assessment 'Minor works' composition portfolio
Submit 2 short compositions from the 'minor works' suite of assignments.
18% Multiple weeks n/a
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2
Participation one to one tutorial, engagement/participation
3 marks from tutor for 1-to-1 lessons and small group tutorials
8% Ongoing n/a
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2
Assignment Extreme/experimental composition
Submit a composition in response to the topic of 'extremes/experimental'
25% STUVAC
Due date: 10 Nov 2024 at 23:59
c. 4 mins of music
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2
Assignment Early Assessment task
Complete composition task as outlined on Canvas #earlyfeedbacktask
5% Week 02
Due date: 11 Aug 2024 at 14:22
1-2 pages of composed music
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3
Participation group assignment Participation: concert organisation
Peer assessed concert organisation assessment.
4% Week 11
Due date: 20 Oct 2024 at 23:59
N/A
Outcomes assessed: LO4
Assignment Composition - Major work
Submit an original composition with score and recording.
40% Week 12
Due date: 27 Oct 2024 at 23:59
up to 5 minutes of music.
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2
group assignment = group assignment ?

Early feedback task

This unit includes an early feedback task, designed to give you feedback prior to the census date for this unit. Details are provided in the Canvas site and your result will be recorded in your Marks page. It is important that you actively engage with this task so that the University can support you to be successful in this unit.

Assessment summary

Peer assessment of concert organisation and presentation of creative works.

Assessment criteria

See assessment criteria on Canvas site.

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.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

As per university policy.

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.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy 2023 reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy 2023. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Multiple weeks 7 x 30 minutes one to one tutorials (3.5 hours in total) One-to-one tuition (3.5 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 01 Lecture 1 Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 02 Lecture 2 Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 03 Lecture 3 Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 04 Small Group Tutorial 1 Tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 05 Lecture 4 Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 06 Lecture 5 Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 08 Lecture 6 Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 09 Small group tutorial 2 Tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 11 No lecture - major work presentations Presentation (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 12 Discussion of major works and experimental pieces. Lecture (2 hr) LO4
Week 13 Extreme/Experimental piece presentations in class time. Presentation (4 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5

Attendance and class requirements

  • Attendance: Students are expected to attend a minimum of 90% of 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. Alternatively, at their discretion, they may set additional assessment items where attendance is lower than 90%. Students are expected to attend 100% of tutorial and workshop classes.

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 and Faber. Students should own their own professional notation software package (e.g. Sibelius, Finale or Dorico).

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. utilise a broad range of compositional techniques and approaches in the construction of your creative work
  • LO2. analyse and assess compositional techniques and approaches in existing compositions, and make use of such techniques and approaches in your work
  • LO3. present score-based music to a high standard using computer music notation software and/or handwriting
  • LO4. understand the importance of having compositions performed and publicly presented, and reflect upon such performances with a guide to potential revision of existing pieces
  • LO5. demonstrate further insight into the private-lesson approach to composition teaching from the student's perspective.

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.

Addition of early feedback task, re- organisation of other assessment loads.

Disclaimer

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

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