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Unit outline_

VSAO1300: Classical Singer's Repertoire Book

Semester 2, 2022 [Normal day] - Sydney

This course provides an overview of major types of Western Classical solo vocal repertoire, from approximately 1600 to the present. It traces the evolution of important formal and stylistic commonalities and differences between individual composers and national characteristics. The course encourages students at a foundational level to recognise, analyse and culturally contextualise the forms they are performing and listening to.

Unit details and rules

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

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Rowena Cowley, rowena.cowley@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s) Stephen Mould, stephen.mould@sydney.edu.au
Rowena Cowley, rowena.cowley@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Participation Class participation
Listening preparation, class responses, performances as assigned
10% Ongoing Ongoing
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2
Presentation hurdle task group assignment Group Presentation
Oral and written presentation on repertoire of choice
30% Week 06
Due date: 07 Sep 2022 at 11:00

Closing date: 13 Sep 2022
20 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Assignment Essay
Program notes for a 30 minute vocal recital with piano
30% Week 10
Due date: 11 Oct 2022 at 23:59

Closing date: 25 Oct 2022
1500 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Assignment Listening Test
Written description of selected elements of chosen works
30% Week 13
Due date: 09 Nov 2021 at 12:15

Closing date: 09 Nov 2021
45 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
hurdle task = hurdle task ?
group assignment = group assignment ?

Assessment summary

  • Class participation assessed throughout the semester. Listening and reading preparation of listening list for each week based on lists posted under CSRB in modules, class responses, performance of one song and one aria as scheduled.
  • Group presentation. Choose a group of songs (or song cycle/part of song cycle) and present a musical/textual/stylistic analysis of the songs you’ve chosen. 
  • Essay. Program notes for a 30 minute vocal recital with piano (can include arias). Choose and time repertoire for your own voice type. You may include others with whom you would share your 30 minute recital. 
  • Listening Test. Listening exam based on the listening list supplied in week 1. Short answers, commenting on musical/textual/expressive elements/accompaniment, voice type and vocal quality, style and period where appropriate. 

Assessment criteria

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.

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.

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 Opera's rise in the seventeenth century Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 02 Opera in the seventeenth to eighteenth centuries Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 03 Opera in the nineteenth century 1 Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 04 Art song in English1. Australian and British art song Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 05 Art song in English 2: Australian and British art song Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 06 Art song in English 3: American song and the influence of music theatre Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 07 Opera in the nineteenth century 2 Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 08 Opera in the twentieth century 1 Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 09 The twentieth century 2 and concluding discussions Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 11 European art song 1: Lieder and Northern European art song Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 12 European art song 2: French song and song in Southern Europe Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 13 The role of the soloist in oratorio and cantata Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5

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%.
  • Due to COVID-19, this information is subject to change and in class attendance may be substituted for online activities. Please always refer to your timetable and information on Canvas.

 

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. recognise and contextualise major types of western classical solo vocal literature
  • LO2. understand commonalities and differences of style between major forms of this literature
  • LO3. understand the evolution of style and form found in these types of works
  • LO4. recognise, critically assess and discuss these forms in own and others’ performances
  • LO5. apply enhanced awareness of form, style and cultural context to performance and listening

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.

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.