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Unit outline_

MUSC3405: Contemporary Music Practice 5

Semester 1, 2023 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

This unit of study provides students support to plan and create a major work at the culmination of completing previous principle study units, Contemporary Music Practice 1, 2, 3 and 4. Students will create a “concept EP’ throughout the semester that they write, perform and produce themselves. This concept can be many things – an aesthetic, a focus on an instrument, the creation of a persona, a specific lyrical theme, and so forth. Students must adhere to this over-arching concept through the creation of their EP. This process will be supported by ongoing instructor and industry feedback, as well as written critical self-reflection. Students will be asked to consider, justify and situate their practice and production of music within both broad and specific contexts. At the conclusion of this unit, students will have developed a cohesive body of work (approximately 20-30 minutes of music).

Unit details and rules

Academic unit
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
? 
MUSC2404
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

No

Teaching staff

Coordinator Paul McDermott, p.mcdermott@sydney.edu.au
Tutor(s) Rainbow Chan, chun.chan@sydney.edu.au
Marcus Whale, marcus.whale@sydney.edu.au
Paul McDermott, p.mcdermott@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Participation Weekly Preparation and In-Class Participation
Weekly Preparation and In-Class Participation
10% Ongoing 1500 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO7 LO6 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2
Assignment Individual Self-Reflection Notes Part 1
Individual Self-Reflection Notes
5% Please select a valid week from the list below
Due date: 23 Apr 2023 at 23:59
250
Outcomes assessed: LO4 LO6 LO5
Presentation Pitch and schedule
In-Class EP Pitch and Schedule
10% Week 03
Due date: 12 Mar 2023 at 23:59
5-10 Minutes/500 Words
Outcomes assessed: LO6
Creative assessment / demonstration Concept EP Part 1
Concept EP
25% Week 08
Due date: 23 Apr 2023 at 23:59
10 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO7 LO6 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2
Assignment Research, Credits and Listening Notes Part 1
Research, Credits and Listening Notes
10% Week 08
Due date: 23 Apr 2023 at 23:59
750 words.
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO6 LO7
Creative assessment / demonstration Concept EP Part 2
Concept EP
25% Week 13
Due date: 28 May 2023 at 23:59
10 mins
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO7 LO6 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2
Assignment Credits and Listening Notes Part 2
Credits and Listening Notes
10% Week 13
Due date: 28 May 2023 at 23:59
750 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Assignment Individual Self-Reflection Notes Part 2
Individual Self-Reflection Notes
5% Week 13
Due date: 28 May 2023 at 23:59
250 words
Outcomes assessed: LO4 LO5 LO6

Assessment summary

  • Weekly preparation and in-class participation: Students will be marked on their preparation and participation in classes over the course of the semester.
  • Pitch and schedule: Students are required to develop and present a plan for a ‘concept extended play’ based on defined creative restrictions (instrumentation, practice, aesthetic etc.) and a schedule for completing the project before the end of the semester.
  • Concept extended play: Students are expected to write, perform and produce a ‘concept extended play’ unified by previously defined creative restrictions (instrumentation, practice, aesthetic etc.).
  • Credits and listening notes: Students are required to compile listening notes for each track of their ‘concept extended play’ using the template that will be provided on Canvas.
  • Individual Self-Reflection notes: Students are required to self-reflect on the success of collaborative strategies, techniques and behaviours.

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

For specific assessment criteria please refer to Canvas

 

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 to Course and Assessment: What is a "Concept Album"? Lecture and tutorial (2 hr)  
Week 02 Meeting your group partner and planning your Concept EP Lecture and tutorial (2 hr)  
Week 03 In-Class Pitch & Schedule presentation Lecture and tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Week 04 Workshop - group working on EP project. Lecture and tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Week 05 Workshop - group working on EP project. Lecture and tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Week 06 Workshop - group working on EP project. Lecture and tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Week 07 Workshop - group working on EP project. Lecture and tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Week 08 Preparing to submit Concept EP Part 1 Lecture and tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Week 09 Workshop - group working on EP project. Lecture and tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Week 10 Workshop - group working on EP project. Lecture and tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Week 11 Workshop - group working on EP project. Lecture and tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Week 12 Perparing to submit Concept EP Part 2 Lecture and tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7

Attendance and class requirements

Attendance: Full (100 per cent) 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.

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.

  • Audio Production Principles by Stephane Elmosnino.

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. apply digital audio workstation production techniques including comping, bussing and automation
  • LO2. apply sound synthesis, dynamics processing, equalisation and effects to music projects
  • LO3. mix and rough master studio recordings
  • LO4. present musical ideas to your peers
  • LO5. give and receive thoughtful critical feedback on creative work
  • LO6. demonstrate project design and management skills
  • LO7. self-produce a concept ‘extended play’ of original 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.

No changes have been made since this unit was last offered.

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.