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Unit outline_

MUSC3675: Writing Music Theatre: Book and Lyrics

Semester 1, 2024 [Normal day] - Sydney

This unit aims to use case studies of existing music theatre works to analyse method, structure, dramatic goals, and design elements as they relate to the book/script and lyrics. Each week builds progressively on the next, as a means of mastery learning. This progression is reflected through weekly formative assessment tasks which culminate in small teams of students writing and performing a 10 to 15-minute section of musical based on a single story chosen by the cohort. Students will be guided to connect their sections to form a full-length work of music theatre.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Analysis, History and Cultural Studies
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
? 
None
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

This course is open to any students in the 2nd year or above of their degree

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Melissa Fenton, melissa.fenton@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s) Narelle Yeo, narelle.yeo@sydney.edu.au
Melissa Fenton, melissa.fenton@sydney.edu.au
Tutor(s) Nicholas Gentile, nicholas.gentile@sydney.edu.au
The census date for this unit availability is 2 April 2024
Type Description Weight Due Length
Small continuous assessment group assignment Formative portfolio of work part 2 (group)
Submitted tutorial activities in Canvas.
10% Multiple weeks N/A
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO8 LO7 LO6 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2
Small continuous assessment Formative portfolio of work part 1 (individual)
Submitted tutorial activities in Canvas. Final task due week 3
10% Multiple weeks 3-4 pages or 1200 words
Outcomes assessed: LO2 LO4 LO3
Small continuous assessment Reflective journal
Weekly journal answering 2 brief questions per week
20% Ongoing Min 2 sentences to max 250 words p.w.
Outcomes assessed: LO2 LO8 LO6 LO5 LO4 LO3
Assignment hurdle task Setting lyrics to music
Upload 2 audio files to Canvas and reflective statement
30% Week 04
Due date: 17 Mar 2024 at 23:59
2 songs and 150 word reflection
Outcomes assessed: LO6 LO8
Presentation group assignment Final Project - The musical (group)
Performance of mini musical in class
30% Week 13
Due date: 20 May 2024 at 10:00
N/A
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8
hurdle task = hurdle task ?
group assignment = group assignment ?

Assessment summary

1. a. In class activities represented in a formative portfolio of work across the semester

1. b. Reflective journal based on in class tasks

2. Group presentation

3. Hurdle task - set lyrics to music

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name

Mark range

Description

High distinction

85 - 100

Superior lyric, book and narrative creative writing, comprehension of content and ability to communicate conventions of book, lyric, narrative writing in musicals

Distinction

75 - 84

High standard of lyric, book and narrative creative writing, comprehension of content and ability to communicate conventions of book, lyric, narrative writing in musicals

Credit

65 - 74

Good evidence of effective lyric, book and narrative creative writing, comprehension of content and ability to communicate conventions of book, lyric, narrative writing in musicals

Pass

50 - 64

Satisfactory application of lyric, book and narrative creative writing, comprehension of content and ability to communicate conventions of book, lyric, narrative writing in musicals

Fail

0 - 49

Did not participate or complete assignment tasks to the required standard, did not meet 90% attendance policy

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.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

5% per day

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

Attendance and class requirements

* Students must attend 90% of timetabled classes

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.

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. Collaborate to create a text/lyric/book/script for a work of music theatre.
  • LO2. Effectively research source material in original form or adaptation to develop this idea into a realised product.
  • LO3. Demonstrate historical understanding of the book, script, and lyric in music theatre.
  • LO4. Apply this knowledge to building narrative structure.
  • LO5. Demonstrate historical and contemporary knowledge and understanding of the particular construction of lyrics in music.
  • LO6. Demonstrate understanding of compositional rules and tropes (rhyming patterns, structure etc.) for music theatre.
  • LO7. Demonstrate an understanding of the collaborative process in writing music theatre: method, structure, and goals.
  • LO8. Students are able to articulate and reflect critically on their creative process.

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.

First time this unit has run

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

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