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Unit outline_

MCGY0000: Australian Indigenous Music

Semester 2, 2024 [Online] - Sydney

In this unit of study students will learn how Australia is home to two distinct Indigenous cultural groups: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. For tens of thousands of years, Aboriginal people used song and dance to express their identity and pass on knowledge to successive generations. Several thousand years ago Torres Strait Islanders' ancestors settled in the numerous small islands to Australia's north and they too began to establish their own unique song and dance traditions. Students will also consider the impact of history on Australian Indigenous music today; how music communicates aspects of Australian Indigenous identity, including language, instruments, dance country, kin and history.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Analysis, History and Cultural Studies
Credit points 0
Prerequisites
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None
Corequisites
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None
Prohibitions
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None
Assumed knowledge
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None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

No

Teaching staff

Coordinator Laura Case, laura.case@sydney.edu.au
The census date for this unit availability is 2 September 2024
Type Description Weight Due Length
Small test Multiple Choice Quiz
Mastery Assessment
30% Week 03 May be repeated; highest score counted
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO4 LO2
Online task Multiple Choice Quiz
Mastery assessment
70% Week 13 May be repeated; highest score counted.
Outcomes assessed: LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6

Assessment summary

  1. Multiple choice quiz on content from Module 1. Multiple attempts are possible with only the highest mark counted. Students MUST receive minimum 75% to pass.
  2. Multiple choice quiz on content from entire unit. Multiple attempts are possible with only the highest mark counted. Students MUST receive minimum 75% to pass.

Assessment criteria

This is a pass or fail unit. 

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:

N/A

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
Progressive Module 1. Two distinct Australian Indigenous groups (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander); music and social grouping (from local mob to nation); dance; coevalness (living in the same historical epoch); song-within-a-song; new old ceremonies; healing and recovery Independent study (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4
Module 2. Four approaches to music change following colonisation: Continuation of existing practices; Adaptation of existing practices; Revival and repatriation of older practices; Experimentation with new styles and genres Independent study (1 hr) LO1 LO5 LO6
Module 3. Cultural-textual analysis; Australian Indigenous Identities (Part 1): Expressions of Pride (in community, ‘race’, culture/language and First Nations status); Protest (against the legacy of colonisation and various forms of discrimination, including Aboriginal deaths in custody); Personal stories (experiences such as being part of the Stolen Generations, living in two worlds, connections to culture) Independent study (1 hr) LO1 LO3 LO4 LO5
Module 4. Australian Indigenous Identities (Part 2): Understandings of Place (incorporating country and custodianship), and exemplary People (heroes). Independent study (1 hr) LO1 LO3 LO4 LO5

Attendance and class requirements

This is a compulsory subject. Students must read through and complete every page in each module and receive 75% in two online tests, to satisfy the requirements of this course.

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.

Required readings

N/A

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. Distinguish between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander musical expressions
  • LO2. Compare several versions of the same Australian Indigenous song performance and interpret the song’s accumulation of meaning
  • LO3. Explain how music is used to define social and cultural groups
  • LO4. Discern unique ways music is capable of providing catharsis in the face of the traumas that have divided Australians ever since colonisation
  • LO5. Distinguish between intended audiences for particular Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander songs, and determine their intended purposes
  • LO6. Distinguish between classical (traditional) Indigenous music genres and imported genres

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.

Student questionnaire in CANVAS site

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Additional costs

N/A

Site visit guidelines

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Work, health and safety

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