Skip to main content
Unit outline_

MUED4612: Music Education Honours A

Semester 1, 2020 [Normal day] - Sydney

Honours in Music Education is both a completion at a high standard of an academic education and a preparation for postgraduate study in music education. The final year Honours units of study enable students to undertake autonomous research into their chosen topics within the field of music education and to document the results of this research in the form of a thesis. Intending Honours students should speak to the Music Education Honours Coordinator before enrolling. Honours requirements are: Successful completion of MUED3629 and MUED3630, and a oral presentation. A further 24 credit points in designated Honours Music Education seminars as follows: MUED4603 Cultural Diversity on Music Education, MUED4602 Senior Secondary Music Education and MUED4632 Professional Issues in Music Ed.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Music Education
Credit points 12
Prerequisites
? 
MUED3630 with Credit grade or above
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

No

Teaching staff

Coordinator Michael Webb, michael.webb@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Presentation Oral presentation
Oral presentation
5% - 20 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO4 LO3 LO2
Assignment Initial thesis chapters
Written task
10% - 6000 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Honours thesis Thesis
Thesis
50% - 15000-18000 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Small continuous assessment Senior secondary music education (MUED4602)
10% Ongoing -
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO4 LO3 LO2
Small continuous assessment Cultural diversity in music education (MUED4603)
10% Ongoing -
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO4 LO3 LO2
Small continuous assessment Professional issues in music education (excluding action research component) (MUED4632)
15% Ongoing -
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO4 LO3 LO2

Assessment summary

  • Oral presentation: Each student will give one seminar presentation of 15–20 minutes duration. This presentation will enable students to demonstrate significant progress made on sections of their Special Study thesis during the semester.
  • Initial thesis chapters: Students will submit a refined and expanded version of the introductory chapter, literature review and methodology chapters of their Special Study thesis. The revised versions should demonstrate significant progress made on these sections of the thesis and should also reflect feedback given on the draft thesis chapter submitted for assessment in Research Methods 2 and feedback given on the seminar presentation in Research Methods 2.
  • Thesis: Honours thesis
  • MUED4602 Senior Secondary Music Education, MUED4603 Cultural Diversity in Music Education and MUED4632 Professional and Social Issues in Music Education: Full details of assessment requirements can be found in the unit of study outlines for these units of study.

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

Attendance and class requirements

  • Lecture recording: Lectures for this unit of study will be recorded and made available to students via the Learning Management System (LMS)
  • Attendance: Full and punctual attendance is a requirement in all activities where students have a role as active participants in the class or activity. Active participation includes situations where the student’s contribution is to perform, rehearse or direct rehearsals in a small or large ensemble, or to give seminar and tutorial papers or presentations or undertake assessment tasks. Active participation also includes all one-to-one studio teaching and supervision. Except in cases of illness or misadventure, failure to attend activities or classes where a student is an active participant will be seen as failure to meet the requirements of the unit of study. Attendance is required for all sessions in MUED 4602, 4603, and 4632 and for both oral presentations on the study. Attendance at regular consultations with students’ individual supervisors is also required throughout both semesters, including during professional experience.
  • Referencing: All texts you refer to should be referenced using the style outlined in the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (APA, 2010 – 6th edition). Download and refer to this guide carefully: http://sydney.edu.au/library/subjects/downloads/citation/APA%20Complete_2012.pdf

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 12 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 240-300 hours of student effort in total.

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 an understanding of appropriate research methods, concepts and research designs relevant to your research topics
  • LO2. establish the significance of your research study within a review of relevant literature identifying concepts appropriate to the research
  • LO3. critically interpret and discuss findings of the study in a way that is consistent with both the research questions and methodology and that makes connections with current literature
  • LO4. outline conclusions that are grounded in the findings and identify implications for further research.

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

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.