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Unit outline_

VSAO1212: German Essentials for Singers

Semester 1, 2024 [Normal day] - Sydney

This unit of study provides the specialist language needs of the vocal performer, with the objective of students achieving basic German language and lyric diction skills. The students will be introduced to German grammar including music and voice-specific vocabulary and the phonetics of Modern German through familiarisation with the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA). There will be an emphasis on the student's ability to introduce themselves and their music programs to an audience, talk to fellow students about singing, the practice of IPA transcriptions, and the performance of German Songs commensurate with the vocal skill level of each student.

Unit details and rules

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

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

No

Teaching staff

Coordinator Simon Lobelson, simon.lobelson@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s) Anke Ryan, anke.ryan@sydney.edu.au
The census date for this unit availability is 2 April 2024
Type Description Weight Due Length
Supervised exam
? 
Final written exam
In class answer language and diction questions.
55% Formal exam period 2 hours
Outcomes assessed: LO3 LO4
Small continuous assessment In-class performance 1
Translate and learn a text
0% Ongoing six sentences
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO4 LO3 LO2
Creative assessment / demonstration Inclass performance 2
Perform in class for a second time
10% Ongoing One song
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2
Online task Early Feedback Task - Canvas quiz
Mandatory Canvas quiz based on unit content #earlyfeedbacktask
0% Week 03
Due date: 08 Mar 2024 at 23:59
10 mins
Outcomes assessed: LO5
Assignment Translation and Recitation 1
Transcribe, announce, and recite the text to Schubert's "An die Musik"
10% Week 04
Due date: 15 Mar 2024 at 23:59
One song
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO3 LO5 LO4
Assignment Analysis 1
Translate and transcribe the song of your choice you perform in class.
10% Week 07
Due date: 12 Apr 2024 at 23:59
One song
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Assignment hurdle task group assignment video
Video work
15% Week 10
Due date: 03 May 2024 at 23:59
no longer than 2 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO4
hurdle task = hurdle task ?
group assignment = group assignment ?

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

  • Early Feedback Task
  • In-class performance 1: Introduce yourself and the repertoire you are about to sing in six sentences using online resources to find text. 
  • Translation and recitation 1: Write the German text of Schubert’s song “An die Musik” in large, clean letters. Translate every word into English and write the English word underneath the relating German word. Transcribe the German text. Record yourself announcing the song and reciting the text. Submit the recording and the written transcript in Canvas. 
  • Analysis 1: Write the text of your choice of song. Translate every word into English and write the English word underneath the relating German word. Write the correlating IPA transcription underneath it and highlight all monophthongs, Umlaute, and final e-schwas in different colours. Deposit your assignment at the designated collection point. 
  • In-class performance 2: Announce and perform in class for a second time. Pay attention to diction and musical phrasing.
  • Video hurdle task: Student groups make a video of up to 2 min about their lives at the conservatorium. The video together with the German script and word by word translation must be uploaded into Canvas. Your minimum mark to pass this task (and the course) is 65. 
  • Final written exam: You will be tested on your knowledge of the theoretical language and diction course content including IPA transcriptions of written and spoken German text. You will also sing one German song.

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

The following assessment criteria are used for performance work in this unit of study:

Result name

Mark range

Description

High distinction

85 - 100

Comprehensive and outstanding technical control and musical integrity in relation to developmental expectations. Musical individuality consistently projected to create a persuasive personal representation of the work. Performance flair indicative of soloist standard. A mark of 95 or above indicates extraordinary technical virtuosity and musical artistry.

Distinction

75 - 84

Excellent technical, musical and stylistic achievement. Consistently coherent and expressive performance. Some personal interpretation of the work suggesting soloist potential. 

Credit

65 - 74

Confident technique with evidence of solid musicality and some stylistic achievement. Occasional lapses indicative of unresolved technical, artistic and/or stylistic issues. Projects potential for further development.

Pass

50 - 64

Satisfactory level of preparation and musical engagement. Some inconsistencies in musicianship, style and/or technique. Musical imagination and overall performance sense developing though some insecurity in this area.

Fail

0 - 49

Unsatisfactory technical achievement and/or unsatisfactory level of musical and artistic engagement. Limitations may be of such a scale and consistency as to call into question the student’s future direction in the programme.

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.

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 1. Say hello and introduce yourself and your repertoire. 2. Introduction to the German IPA, student practise Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 02 1. What singer am I?; introduce video task; 2. Monophthongs and their IPA symbols, student practise Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 03 1. Say the numbers up to 10, the alphabet; 2. Umlaute and their IPA symbols, student practise Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 04 1. Student groups introduce themselves; 2. Diphthongs, student practise Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 05 1. The German voice types; 2. Basic consonant sounds and their IPA symbols, student practise Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 06 1. Group work-Conversation; 2. More consonants and their IPA symbols; 3. Student practise Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 07 1. Group practice and reading; student practise Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 09 1. Recognising prefixes; student practise Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 10 1. In-class presentation of video task and discussion; 2. More consonants sounds and their IPA symbols, student practise; 3. Intro to the DDSSC Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 11 1. Recognising suffixes; 2. IPA reading practice; student practise Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 12 1. In-class presentation of songs sung by expert interpreters chosen by the students; 2. class singalong, student practise Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5

Attendance and class requirements

As per the Sydney Conservatorium of Music resolutions, http://sydney.edu.au/handbooks/conservatorium/rules/faculty_resolutions.shtml (Item 11):   

  • 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%.

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

Additional texts and materials will be provided in class and on Canvas.

  1. German for Singers: A Textbook of Diction and Phonetics (Odom & Schollum, 1981) 

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. use basic German to talk about singing and to introduce your songs
  • LO2. recognize simple grammatical structures in your songs
  • LO3. learn to read and write the IPA
  • LO4. understand the production of German monophthongs, diphthongs, umlaute, consonants, consonant clusters and glides
  • LO5. understand the content of your chosen repertoire and prepare the diction of it for further study with your voice teachers, in vocal performance class, concert practice and voice exams.

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

You are responsible for sending your repertoire at least two weeks in advance to the assigned class accompanist.

A workshop for stage management and ushering tasks for the DDSSC in semester 2 will be held outside of the regular seminar time. Attendance at the DDSSC is mandatory.

Additional costs

Accompanist fess for the final assessment performance might be required.

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.