Skip to main content
Unit outline_

OLET1821: Music and Social Media

Semester 2, 2024 [Online] - Sydney

In this unit of study, students will examine interactions between social media and participants in the music ecosystem: musicians, music learners, the music industry and the audience. Students will examine and respond to case studies of each aspect of this ecosystem. By completing this unit, students will understand the nexus between music and digital forms of communication, and will be able to critically examine the role of a very prevalent form of digital communication in the contemporary world through its interaction with music. No prior music education is presumed in this unit of study.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Analysis, History and Cultural Studies
Credit points 2
Prerequisites
? 
None
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

No

Teaching staff

Coordinator Natalie Nicolas, natalie.nicolas@sydney.edu.au
Project supervisor(s) Matthew Hindson, matthew.hindson@sydney.edu.au
James Humberstone, james.humberstone@sydney.edu.au
Tutor(s) Natalie Nicolas, natalie.nicolas@sydney.edu.au
The census date for this unit availability is 2 September 2024
Type Description Weight Due Length
Online task Assessment First set of tutorials
Video response analysing the use of music & social media by a non-musician.
20% Week 03 5 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO4 LO2
Small test Early feedback task
Quiz on the UoS outline and Week 3 lecture #earlyfeedbacktask
0% Week 03 5 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO1
Assignment Weeks 5 and 7 assessment
A video or other media aligning to content from Weeks 5 and/or 7.
40% Week 07
Due date: 09 Jul 2024 at 23:59
6 Minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Online task Assessment Fourth set of tutorials
Video response analysing the use of music & social media by a musician.
20% Week 09 5 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO4 LO2
Participation hurdle task Participation in tutorials
Active participation in tutorials. Failure to participate = fail the unit.
20% Weekly N/A
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO4 LO3 LO2
hurdle task = hurdle task ?

Early feedback task

This unit includes an early feedback task, designed to give you feedback prior to the census date for this unit. Details are provided in the Canvas site and your result will be recorded in your Marks page. It is important that you actively engage with this task so that the University can support you to be successful in this unit.

Assessment summary

Students will complete assessments relating to the various weeks' tasks.

Assessment criteria

These are the criteria for each of the presentations required in this unit of study (this goes for submitted video presentations OR presentations given in class):

1. Content Understanding:
  - Demonstrates a thorough understanding of the topic
  - Presents information that is accurate and relevant to the subject matter
  - Integrates relevant unit of study concepts effectively into the presentation

2. Engagement and critical thinking:
  - Presentation involves critical thinking and analysis of the topic, not just description
  - Audio-visual evidence provided (including from the original social media being analysed) is appropriate and accessible to the markers, including being integrated into the presentation
  - Presentation encourages further thought or discussion on the topic

3. Organization:
  - Information is presented in a logical sequence and conforms to the given time limits
  - Introduction clearly states the purpose and objectives of the presentation
  - Conclusion effectively summarizes the main points and provides closure
  - Language is clear, concise, reflective of the language used in the unit of study and free of jargon or unnecessary complexity

 

These are the criteria for the participation mark in this unit of study:

1. Attends the class

2. Contributes in an engaged and thoughtful manner, demonstrating an understanding of the material (including having watched the video materials beforehand)

3. Contributes by giving presentations to the rest of the class when requested.

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.

You may only use artificial intelligence and writing assistance tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator, and if you do use them, you must also acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section.

Studiosity is permitted for postgraduate units unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission.

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 03 First set of online lectures Online class (1 hr)  
First set of tutorials Tutorial (1 hr)  
Week 05 Second set of online lectures Online class (1 hr)  
Second set of tutorials Tutorial (1 hr)  
Week 07 Third set of online lectures Online class (1 hr)  
Third set of tutorials Tutorial (1 hr)  
Week 09 Fourth set of online lectures Online class (1 hr)  
Fourth set of tutorials Tutorial (1 hr)  

Attendance and class requirements

As per the Sydney Conservatorium of Music resolutions, 100% attendance is required at all tutorials.  Failure to meet this attendance requirement will mean that your participation mark will be negatively impacted, and an AF grade may be given for this 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 2 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 40-50 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. Understand the different functions of music in social media
  • LO2. Understand how creators (musical and non-musical) use social media to achieve a variety of outcomes
  • LO3. Understand how social media can be used to enhance and facilitate music learning
  • LO4. Respond in a critical, active and thoughtful way to music in social media

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.

This is the first time this unit has been offered.

Students will need to have access to social media platforms in order to successfully complete this unit of study.  They will not be asked to post social media, but rather, to observe an analyse posts by others.

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.