Skip to main content
Unit of study_

MCGY5603: Music as Social Science

2025 unit information

Empirical research in music performance employs a variety of innovative methods to investigate music teaching, performing and perception. Knowledge of current areas of research and the techniques used to investigate them is relevant to all music researchers. This unit of study will focus on recent social science methods to investigate music practice with an emphasis on musically and pedagogically driven research. Students will be introduced to different types of experimental study designs, methods of data capture, perceptual and acoustic techniques and acquire new skills and knowledge to approach interdisciplinary studies in music performance.

Unit details and rules

Managing faculty or University school:

Sydney Conservatorium of Music

Study level Postgraduate
Academic unit
Credit points 6
Prerequisites:
? 
None
Corequisites:
? 
None
Prohibitions:
? 
None
Assumed knowledge:
? 
None

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

  • LO1. demonstrate broad understanding of studies in psychology of music
  • LO2. understand empirical research projects
  • LO3. identify appropriate topics and methods for future study directions
  • LO4. present research study designs
  • LO5. facilitate the exchange of ideas between musicians and researchers
  • LO6. apply new knowledge to your own music practice

Unit availability

This section lists the session, attendance modes and locations the unit is available in. There is a unit outline for each of the unit availabilities, which gives you information about the unit including assessment details and a schedule of weekly activities.

The outline is published 2 weeks before the first day of teaching. You can look at previous outlines for a guide to the details of a unit.

Session MoA ?  Location Outline ? 
Semester 1 2024
Normal day Sydney
Outline unavailable
Session MoA ?  Location Outline ? 
Semester 1 2025
Normal day Sydney
Outline unavailable
Session MoA ?  Location Outline ? 
Semester 1 2021
Normal day Remote
Outline unavailable
Semester 1 2021
Normal day Sydney
Outline unavailable
Semester 1 2023
Normal day Remote
Semester 1 2023
Normal day Sydney

Find your current year census dates

Modes of attendance (MoA)

This refers to the Mode of attendance (MoA) for the unit as it appears when you’re selecting your units in Sydney Student. Find more information about modes of attendance on our website.