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Unit outline_

MUSC2403: Contemporary Music Practice 3

Semester 1, 2024 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Students will bring their composition, performance and music technology skills together to complete a variety of collaborative projects during the course of the semester. Students will be challenged to write with different collaborators each week with weekly tasks exploring different genres and creative ideas. The aim of this class is to equip students with new songwriting methods in their “toolkit” which they can draw from in their own original works. They will produce a high-quality demo recordings in a studio environment. Throughout the semester, students will engage in analysis and assessment of their own work and the work of others.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Contemporary Music
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
? 
MUSC1402
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

No

Teaching staff

Coordinator Bree Van Reyk, bree.vanreyk@sydney.edu.au
Guest lecturer(s) Zane Banks, zane.banks@sydney.edu.au
Jade O'Regan, jade.oregan@sydney.edu.au
Paul McDermott, p.mcdermott@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s) Toby Martin, toby.martin@sydney.edu.au
Bree Van Reyk, bree.vanreyk@sydney.edu.au
Tutor(s) Sarah Belkner, sarah.belkner@sydney.edu.au
Marcus Whale, marcus.whale@sydney.edu.au
The census date for this unit availability is 2 April 2024
Type Description Weight Due Length
Creative assessment / demonstration Weekly Song Drafts
Participation
40% Multiple weeks N/A
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Creative assessment / demonstration Song Analysis Essay
Written
20% Week 07
Due date: 12 Apr 2024 at 23:59
1000-1200 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO3 LO4
Creative assessment / demonstration Developed Song Drafts
Recordings
40% Week 13
Due date: 26 May 2024 at 23:59
2 x 3-5min songs
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO4 LO3 LO2

Assessment summary

  • Demos - Eight song drafts: Using the SCM studios, students are expected to work with a different collaborator over eight sessions in weeks 2-11 to write and produce demos for song ideas based on the weekly theme. The ideas do not have to be fully developed (that will be for the final assessment), but some musical material must be created.
  • Song analysis essay: Referring to relevant academic texts and music, students are required to write an analysis essay on a contemporary song (any popular music from 1955 onwards - no jazz or blues), examining its production, performance, and songwriting conventions of the genre.
  • Developed song drafts: Students are expected to choose two of the song ideas they have created in their weekly tutorials and develop them into full, 3-5 minute demos.
Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

Refer to Canvas for Assignment Assessment Criteria

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.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy 2023 reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy 2023. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 Introduction to Unit Lecture (1 hr)  
Collaborative Skills Share Session Tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 02 Country Music w/ Dr Toby Martin Lecture (1 hr)  
Collaborative Songwriting Session Tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 03 Pop Hooks w/ Dr Jade O'Regan Lecture (1 hr)  
Collaborative Songwriting Session Tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 04 Soul + RnB + Disco w/ Dr Paul Mac Lecture (1 hr)  
Collaborative Songwriting Session Tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 05 Genre 1 tbc (Indie + Punk/Hip-Hop/Experimental/Afro-Beat) Lecture (1 hr)  
Collaborative Songwriting Session Tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 06 Genre 2 tbc (Indie + Punk/Hip-Hop/Experimental/Afro-Beat) Lecture (1 hr)  
Collaborative Songwriting Session Tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 07 Psychedelia w/ Dr Jade O'Regan Lecture (1 hr)  
Collaborative Songwriting Session Tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 08 EDM w/ Paul Mac Lecture (1 hr)  
Collaborative Songwriting Session Tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 09 Riffs + Rock + Metal w/ Dr Zane Banks Lecture (1 hr)  
Collaborative Songwriting Session Tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 11 Genre 3 tbc (Indie + Punk/Hip-Hop/Experimental/Afro-Beat) Lecture (1 hr)  
Collaborative Songwriting Session Tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 12 Genre 4 tbc (Indie + Punk/Hip-Hop/Experimental/Afro-Beat) Lecture (1 hr)  
Collaborative Songwriting Session Tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 13 Review/Check in Lecture (1 hr)  
Critical Listening Session Tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4

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%.
  • Referencing: You must use full Chicago-style referencing (with footnotes) in your essay.

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 on the Library eReserve link available 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 understandings of diverse forms of contemporary music and how to recreate and discuss such music in individual and group-based contexts from a technical and creative perspective
  • LO2. document and maintain records of collaborative and individual music practice activities
  • LO3. reflect critically on your music and music produced by your peers
  • LO4. apply composition, rehearsal, performance, recording and production techniques necessary to present and discuss diverse forms of contemporary music.

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.

I have reviewed the UoS survey from the previous iteration of this course.

More information can be found on Canvas.

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.