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Unit outline_

MCGY2010: Harmony and Analysis 3

Semester 1, 2021 [Normal day] - Sydney

Building on the fundamentals of counterpoint and chord function established in previous semesters, the emphasis here is placed upon developing an understanding of the larger-scale compositional strategies and structures of tonal music. Alongside the study of specific harmonic vocabulary, including leading-tone seventh chords, secondary dominants and modulation, two 18th-century genres are examined which epitomise the integration of contrapuntal and harmonic thinking: the chorale settings and fugues of J.S. Bach.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit
Credit points 3
Prerequisites
? 
MCGY1009
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Lewis Cornwell, lewis.cornwell@sydney.edu.au
Tutor(s) Marcus Hartstein, marcus.hartstein@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Final exam (Take-home short release) Type D final exam Final exam
Online examination
50% Formal exam period 2.5 hours
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2
Assignment Chapter 19 assignment
Written assignment
5% Week 02
Due date: 11 Mar 2021 at 23:59
Approx. 12-16 bars
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2
Assignment Chapter 23 assignment
Written assignment
5% Week 03
Due date: 18 Mar 2021 at 23:59
Approx. 12-16 bars
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2
Assignment Chapter 21 assignment
Written assignment
5% Week 04
Due date: 25 Mar 2021 at 23:59
Approx. 12-16 bars
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2
Assignment Chapter 21B assignment
Written assignment
5% Week 05
Due date: 01 Apr 2021 at 23:59
Approx. 12-16 bars
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2
Assignment Chapter 29 assignment
Written assignment
5% Week 06
Due date: 15 Apr 2021 at 23:59
Approx. 12-16 bars
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2
Assignment Fugue assignment 1 (imitative counterpoint and canon)
Written assignment
5% Week 07
Due date: 22 Apr 2021 at 23:59
Approx. 20-24 bars
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2
Assignment Fugue assignment 2 (3-voice fugue)
Written assignment
10% Week 09
Due date: 06 May 2021 at 23:59
approx. 12-16 bars
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2
Assignment Chapter 27 assignment
Written assignment
5% Week 11
Due date: 20 May 2021 at 23:59
approx. 12-16 bars
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2
Assignment Chorale assignment
Written assignment
5% Week 12
Due date: 27 May 2021 at 23:59
Approx. 16-20 bars
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2
Type D final exam = Type D final exam ?

Assessment summary

Full details are available on Canvas

Assessment criteria

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

  • Appropriate use of the harmonic and analytical vocabulary introduced in current and previous topics;
  • Technically correct notation, chord construction, chord function and voice leading;
  • Awareness of aesthetic principles as discussed in the unit;
  • Identification and imaginative use of less common or more advanced techniques presented in the topic.

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 Leading-tone 7th Chords Lecture and tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2
Week 02 Sequences with seventh chords and sequences based on root movement by 5th Lecture and tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2
Week 03 Secondary dominants Lecture and tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2
Week 04 Secondary dominants continued Lecture and tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2
Week 05 The Neapolitan chord Lecture and tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2
Week 06 Imitative counterpoint Lecture and tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2
Week 07 Fugue Lecture and tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2
Week 08 Fugue continued Lecture and tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2
Week 09 Diatonic modulation Lecture and tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2
Week 11 Chorale style Lecture and tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2
Week 12 Chorale style continued Lecture and tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2
Week 13 Revision Lecture and tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2

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%.

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 3 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 60-75 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

All readings for this unit can be accessed through the Library eReserve, available on Canvas.

  • Robert Gauldin, Workbook for Harmonic Practice in Tonal Music, 2nd edition (New York: Norton, 2004);
  • Robert Gauldin, Harmonic Practice in Tonal Music, 2nd edition (New York: Norton, 2004) is recommended for further reference.

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. Compose music which includes leading-tone sevenths, tonicisations and modulations, chorale settings with elaborate contrapuntal figuration, and fugal passages.
  • LO2. Identify and explain the use of this vocabulary by analysing examples from the relevant repertoire

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.

In response to student feedback, the Canvas site for this unit has been reorganised to allow for easier access to downloads.

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.