Skip to main content
Unit outline_

MCGY1031: Australian Musical Worlds

Semester 2, 2021 [Normal day] - Remote

Embracing popular music, Indigenous music, classical music, and the music of multicultural communities in Australia, this unit offers an introduction not only to diverse musical traditions, but also to themes prevalent in the work of contemporary music scholars. These include gender and identity, ownership and appropriation, reception and transmission, colonialism and Empire, globalisation, modernity, representation, and music and place.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
? 
None
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Niall Edwards-FitzSimons, niall.edwards-fitzsimons@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Final exam (Open book) Type C final exam Exam
30% Formal exam period 1 hour
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO4
Assignment Critical analysis of a text
Written assessment
15% Week 06
Due date: 17 Sep 2021 at 23:59
600 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO3
Assignment Essay
Written assessment
35% Week 12
Due date: 05 Nov 2021 at 23:59
2000 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Small continuous assessment Tutorial preparation and participation
Tutorial preparation and participation
20% Weekly n/a
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO4 LO3 LO2
Type C final exam = Type C final exam ?

Assessment summary

  • Tutorial preparation and participation: For every tutorial there will be one or two assigned readings for you to prepare, some listening, and some questions for you to consider when reading and listening. These are available from the “Modules” tab on Canvas. You will be marked on your contribution to the class discussion and whether or not you have done the reading and listening. You will not be marked on the quality or intelligence of what you say, but on whether you say something relevant.
  • Critical analysis of a text: A 600 word analysis of one of 3 academic texts.
  • Essay: A 2000 word essay.
  • Exam: The exam is one hour long in exam week. You will be examined on the Set Works. The list of set works is on the website, along with links and information on how to access them and on the type of questions that may be asked.

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

The following assessment criteria are used for written work in this unit of study:

Result name

Mark range

Description

High distinction

85 - 100

Demonstrates high level of initiative in research and reading; sophisticated critical analysis of evidence; high level engagement with theoretical issues, innovative use of reading/research material and impressive command of underlying debates and assumptions; properly documented and written with style, originality and precision.

Distinction

75 - 84

Demonstrates initiative in research and wide, appropriate reading; complex understanding of question and ability to critically review material in relation to underlying assumptions and values; analyses material in relation to empirical and theoretical contexts; properly documented; clear, well-developed structure and argument with some signs of literary style.

Credit

65 - 74

Evidence of broader understanding than pass level; offers synthesis with some critical evaluation of material; coherent argument using a range of relevant evidence; some evidence of independent thought, good referencing. A high credit (70-74) shows some evidence of ability to problematise and think conceptually.

Pass

50 - 64

Written work meets basic requirements in terms of reading/research; relevant material; tendency to descriptive summary rather than critical argument; makes a reasonable attempt to avoid paraphrasing; reasonably coherent structure; often has weaknesses in particular areas, especially in terms of narrow or underdeveloped treatment of question; acceptable documentation.

Fail

0 - 49

Work may fail for any or all of the following reasons: Unacceptable paraphrasing; irrelevance of content; poor spelling; poor presentation; grammar or structure so sloppy it cannot be understood; failure to demonstrate understanding of content; insufficient or overlong word length.

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
Week 01 Introduction Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2
Week 02 Aboriginal & Torres Strait Classical Traditions 1 Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4
Week 03 Aboriginal & Torres Strait Classical Traditions 2 Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4
Week 04 Australian Popular Music 1: Anthems Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Week 05 Australian Classical Music 1: The Interwar Period Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Week 06 Australian Classical Music 2: Corroboree Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 07 Australian Popular Music 2: Folk and Rock Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 08 Australian Popular Music 3: Country Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 09 Aboriginal & Torres Strait Popular and Concert Hall Music Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 12 Chinese-Australian Music Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 13 Australian Popular Music 4: Hip Hop Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4

Attendance and class requirements

As per the Sydney Conservatorium of Music resolutions, http://sydney.edu.au/handbooks/conservatorium/rules/faculty_resolutions.shtml (Item 12):


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%.

Lecture: Monday 11:00 – 12:50pm
Tutorials: Students must attend the tutorial as allocated on their timetable, unless by special permission of the Unit Coordinator

Monday 2pm

Monday 3pm
Tuesday 11am
Thursday 12pm
Thursday 1pm

 

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

All readings for this unit can be accessed through the Weekly Modules pages on Canvas.

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. demonstrate a broad understanding of contemporary Australian musical culture through critical discussion (verbally and in writing) of the broad analytical and cultural issues associated with it
  • LO2. identify and understand a number of styles and practices in contemporary Australian and regional musical environments by identifying and analysing specific examples from the relevant repertoire
  • LO3. think critically about texts they encounter in popular and academic commentary on music.
  • LO4. understand and debate important issues in musical and cultural relationships between people and communities in Australia, such as appropriation, ownership, representation, and equity

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 INFORMATION ENTERED HERE YET

More information can be found on Canvas.

Additional costs

There are no additional costs for this unit.

Site visit guidelines

There are no site visit guidelines for this unit.

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.