Course overview
- Study period
- Semester 2, 2024 (22/07/2024 - 18/11/2024)
- Study level
- Undergraduate
- Location
- St Lucia
- Attendance mode
- In Person
- Units
- 2
- Administrative campus
- St Lucia
- Coordinating unit
- Music School
Introduction to the key concepts of popular music studies. Course provides a cultural, industrial and technological history of commercial rock and popular music from the 1950s onwards.
Popular music has underpinned the ascendancy of modern consumer culture. To understand the rise of rock music in the post-war period is to understand the processes that enabled popular culture to overtake its high-cultural predecessors—literature, theatre, classical music, etc.—as society’s emblematic cultural materials. MUSC1700 interrogates the cultural, industrial and technological history of popular music, from the 1950s through to the ‘end’ ofﾠtraditional music industry models in the modern streaming era. In outlining the conventional rock narrative—from Elvis to The Beatles, Motown, Led Zeppelin, Michael Jackson, Madonna, U2, Nirvana, Eminem, Beyonce, K-pop, Billie Eilish and beyond—the course introduces the key concepts of popular music studies, many of which question the received tenets of rock history within popular memory, and contextualises recent anxieties regarding the ‘death’ of the global music business.
Course requirements
Assumed background
No musical skills are required.ﾠ
Incompatible
You can't enrol in this course if you've already completed the following:
MU183
Course contact
Course staff
Timetable
The timetable for this course is available on the UQ Public Timetable.
Additional timetable information
Please note that the lectures for this course take the form of recordings uploaded each week to the Weekly Learning Modules in the Learning Resources sectionﾠat Learn.UQ.
There are no classes or course content in week 8, due to the School of Music'sﾠproject week.
Aims and outcomes
MUSC1700 outlines the timeline of changes in popular musicﾠfrom the 1950s to today, as a means to explore key concerns within the field of popular music studies. Students will gain a greater appreciation of popular music, its cultural impact, and the mechanisms that shape it, by means of:
- An overview of popular music’s influences and the social, cultural and industrial conditions affecting its creation
- Analyses of the impact of popular music in society and its capacity to reflect issues of agency in race, gender and politics
- Analyses of key styles of rock and pop music since the 1950s via a survey of significant artists and repertoire
- An overview of the diverse academic field of popular music studies
MUSC1700 seeks to help improve academic literacy and communication skills via content that students may already be invested in, that is, the role of popular culture in our shared lived experience. Thus, theﾠtheﾠcourse will also provide students with an introduction to research tools and the mechanics of scholarly documentation, as well has enhancing critical thinking skills.
MUSC1700 does not assess musical performance or prior musical knowledge; a student’s ability to read (and listen)ﾠcritically, to obtain, absorb, recognise and employ key concepts, and write effectively and consistently, are more valuableﾠin thisﾠcourse.
Learning outcomes
After successfully completing this course you should be able to:
LO1.
Appreciate and more fully understand rock music and its relationships with the social circumstances surrounding its creation.
LO2.
Hear, identify and discuss the musical characteristics, musical elements and sonic production techniques that are employed in rock and popular musics.
LO3.
Demonstrate a foundational understanding of popular music studies and its areas of critical enquiry.
LO4.
Understand and apply research tools and scholarly documentation to the critical study of popular and rock musics.
Assessment
Assessment summary
| Category | Assessment task | Weight | Due date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Participation/ Student contribution |
Tutorial Discussion Participation
|
10% |
Week 2 - Week 12
Due weekly (weeks 2-7, 9-12). |
| Quiz |
Weekly Online Multiple-Choice Tests
|
20% |
29/07/2024 - 14/10/2024
Due weekly (weeks 2-7, 9-12). |
| Quiz |
Library Assignment
|
10% |
30/08/2024 5:00 pm
Submit via Learn.UQ Assessment section by 5pm Friday in week 6 |
| Essay/ Critique |
Major Essay
|
60% |
25/10/2024 5:00 pm
Submit via Turn It In by 5pm Friday in week 13. |
Assessment details
Tutorial Discussion Participation
- In-person
- Online
- Mode
- Oral, Written
- Category
- Participation/ Student contribution
- Weight
- 10%
- Due date
Week 2 - Week 12
Due weekly (weeks 2-7, 9-12).
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L04
Task description
From weeks 2 through 12, prior to each week's tutorial, you must submit your own question for class discussion.
Appropriate discussion questions include:
· Questions seeking clarification regarding aspects of that week's readings (please cite relevant page number) or lecture
· Questions regarding a related area of study that the readings or lecture did not cover
· Questions seeking further detail regarding historical, cultural and social background information relevant to that week’s topic
· Questions that challenge aspects of that week's readings or lecture
· Questions based on your own knowledge of that week’s topic which are designed to stimulate class discussion
· Questions about more recent popular music that you believe relate to that week's topic
Inappropriate discussion questions include:
· Questions that lead only to speculation, such as 'What do you think will happen in the future?'
· Questions that simply ask for a broad summary of one of the readings
· Questions that simply paraphrase one of the weekly multiple-choice questions
· Administrative questions
Submission guidelines
Submit your question for class discussion via the weekly Learning Modules (in conjunction with the weekly online multiple-choice test). In order to earn the 1% mark each week, you must also present the question during tutorials. See the weekly Learning Modules for question submission dates and times.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 28 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
Late submission
You will receive a mark of 0 if this assessment is submitted late.
Weekly Online Multiple-Choice Tests
- Online
- Mode
- Activity/ Performance
- Category
- Quiz
- Weight
- 20%
- Due date
29/07/2024 - 14/10/2024
Due weekly (weeks 2-7, 9-12).
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L03, L04
Task description
Prior to each week’s tutorial, you are required to complete a multiple-choice test covering key aspects of popular music history and theory as outlined in that week's readings.
Submission guidelines
Each week's test and submission dates and times can be found in the weekly Learning Modules.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 28 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
Late submission
You will receive a mark of 0 if this assessment is submitted late.
Library Assignment
- Online
- Mode
- Activity/ Performance
- Category
- Quiz
- Weight
- 10%
- Due date
30/08/2024 5:00 pm
Submit via Learn.UQ Assessment section by 5pm Friday in week 6
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L03, L04
Task description
An online multiple-choice research questionnaire consisting of 20 randomly-generated questions testing your ability to locate specific facts via the UQ library system.
Submission guidelines
The test will open at 8am Monday in week 6. You will have until the following Friday at 5pm to research and submit your answers. You may save the test as you progress and return to it throughout week 6.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 28 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
Late submission
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
Major Essay
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Essay/ Critique
- Weight
- 60%
- Due date
25/10/2024 5:00 pm
Submit via Turn It In by 5pm Friday in week 13.
- Other conditions
- Student specific.
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L04
Task description
Write and submit a 2000-word research-based essay analysing a specific aspect of popular music within a broader context as suggested by one of ten supplied topics. Detailed essay criteria and topic list will be available via the Assessment section at Learn.UQ from Week 6.
Submission guidelines
Essays to be submitted online as a Word document via the Turn It In link in the Assessment section at Learn.UQ by 5pm Friday in week 13.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 28 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
Extensions are available for this item only for students who can supply documented evidence of exceptional circumstances, if applied for prior to the assessment due date. See ‘Applying for an assessment extension’ at the UQ information and services website (https://my.uq.edu.au/information-and-services/manage-my-program/exams-and-assessment/applying-assessment-extension).
Late submission
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
Course grading
Full criteria for each grade is available in the Assessment Procedure.
| Grade | Cut off Percent | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 (Low Fail) | 1 - |
Absence of evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Work does not satisfy the basic requirements of this course. |
| 2 (Fail) | 25 - |
Minimal evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Work does not satisfy the requirements of this course. |
| 3 (Marginal Fail) | 45 - |
Demonstrated evidence of developing achievement of course learning outcomes Course grade description: Work falls short of satisfying all necessary requirements for a pass. |
| 4 (Pass) | 50 - |
Demonstrated evidence of functional achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Satisfies many of the basic requirements of the course, including a sufficient grasp of the fundamental issues and concepts and an adequate demonstration of written skills. |
| 5 (Credit) | 65 - |
Demonstrated evidence of proficient achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Demonstrates an ability to use and apply fundamental concepts and facts going beyond mere replication of course content to show an understanding of central ideas and subject matter. |
| 6 (Distinction) | 75 - |
Demonstrated evidence of advanced achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Demonstrates an understanding of some of the more subtle aspects of the course with an ability to identify and debate critical issues while also demonstrating a broad knowledge of the course. |
| 7 (High Distinction) | 85 - |
Demonstrated evidence of exceptional achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Work demonstrates critical acuity and finesse, displaying thorough knowledge of course content and exhibiting initiative in integrating credible academic research to contextualise applicable concepts. |
Additional course grading information
Marking criteria and/or marking rubrics are available in the ‘Assessment’ folder in Blackboard for this course.
Supplementary assessment
Supplementary assessment is available for this course.
Additional assessment information
This course evaluates student’s abilities, skills and knowledge without the aid of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Students are advised that the use of AI technologies to develop responses is strictly prohibited and may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Learning resources
You'll need the following resources to successfully complete the course. We've indicated below if you need a personal copy of the reading materials or your own item.
Library resources
Find the required and recommended resources for this course on the UQ Library website.
Additional learning resources information
See Learning Resources link in Learn.UQ.
Learning activities
The learning activities for this course are outlined below. Learn more about the learning outcomes that apply to this course.
Filter activity type by
Please select
| Learning period | Activity type | Topic |
|---|---|---|
Multiple weeks From Week 1 To Week 13 |
Lecture |
Online Learning Modules Online materials (including weekly lectures) and activities (including weekly tests) introduce students to key concepts within popular music studies. Accessible in Learning Resources at Learn.UQ. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04 |
Not Timetabled |
Course Readings Weekly course readings (accessible via the Learning Modules in Learn.UQ) provide necessary theoretical, historical and critical perspectives on the course content. They are also the source material for the weekly online tests. Learning outcomes: L01, L03, L04 |
|
Tutorial |
Interactive Tutorial Series Tutorials centre on discussions inspired by student-generated questions submitted to the weekly course modules. They also help prepare you for assessment requirements, as well as assisting in the development of your academic research and cultural analysis skills. Weeks 1-6 and 8-13. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04 |
Additional learning activity information
Pre-recorded lectures, readings, online tests, Spotify playlists and additional materials can be found in each week's learning module. Consult timetable for tutorial details.
Policies and procedures
University policies and procedures apply to all aspects of student life. As a UQ student, you must comply with University-wide and program-specific requirements, including the:
- Student Code of Conduct Policy
- Student Integrity and Misconduct Policy and Procedure
- Assessment Procedure
- Examinations Procedure
- Reasonable Adjustments - Students Policy and Procedure
Learn more about UQ policies on my.UQ and the Policy and Procedure Library.
School guidelines
Your school has additional guidelines you'll need to follow for this course:
- School of Music site