Course coordinator
Dr Robert Davidson
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
Study of Western Music from circa 1890-present in social context; study of selected representative works.
This course consists of:
- an introduction to prominent trajectories of Western art music of the period 1894 to the present
- an in-depth study of a selection of music compositions within their aesthetic, cultural, social and reception contexts
- familiarisation with a selection of additional music
Course requirements
Assumed background
There is no assumed background. The course does not require music notation skills, though these would help in some of the options in the essay assignment (however, there are options available for those without music notation background).
Prerequisites
You'll need to complete the following courses before enrolling in this one:
MUSC1050
Incompatible
You can't enrol in this course if you've already completed the following:
MU299
Course contact
Timetable
The timetable for this course is available on the UQ Public Timetable.
Aims and outcomes
This course aims to:
- Provide a framework for understanding varied strands of Western art music composition from 1890-2020
- Foster an understanding of a number of broad, underlying cultural and artistic trends of the period
- Extend bibliographic research skills and develop written, oral and musical communication skills
- Foster musical imagination and creativity through exploration of diverse musical ideas expressed in Western art music of the period
Learning outcomes
After successfully completing this course you should be able to:
LO1.
Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of varied styles of Western art music composition, performance and reception from 1890-2023.
LO2.
Demonstrate reflective learning by applying independent research skills, including the use of digital resources, to develop written oral, and musical communication skills.
LO3.
Identify and understand historical and stylistic features of selected representative compositions of Western art music from 1890-2023 in order to understand how creativity interacts with cultural contexts.
Assessment
Assessment summary
| Category | Assessment task | Weight | Due date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Practical/ Demonstration |
Tutorial participation and compositions
|
30% |
Week 6 - Week 13
During tutorial weeks 4, 6, 9, 11, 13 |
| Quiz |
Listening tests (3)
|
30% 10% per test |
19/08/2024 - 21/10/2024
During the lecture (weeks 5, 8, 13) |
| Examination |
Exam
|
40% |
End of Semester Exam Period 2/11/2024 - 16/11/2024 |
Assessment details
Tutorial participation and compositions
- In-person
- Mode
- Activity/ Performance
- Category
- Practical/ Demonstration
- Weight
- 30%
- Due date
Week 6 - Week 13
During tutorial weeks 4, 6, 9, 11, 13
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L03, L04, L05
Task description
There are tutorials throughout the semester starting in week 2.
In weeks 4, 6, 9, 11 and 13, you participate in performances of student compositions, including your own, and in commenting on each other's work. You'll work in small groups that will be organised on Blackboard. You're encouraged not to simply sight read, but to come to class having prepared.
Each composition is an etude that uses or focuses on one specific technique from the list for that week. Don't use more than one technique as the focus, and make sure the technique you've chosen is used very prominently.
Resources for the five different compositions are available on Blackboard, including lectures, readings and lists of works as exemplars. You're not expected to be familiar with the entire range of techniques discussed, but focus just on one technique for each composition. Details of these techniques are provided on Blackboard.
To prepare:
- practice your parts for pieces composed by members of your group, and bring your instrument when appropriate
- complete your compositions and give any parts and/or instructions to performers at least two days prior to the tutorial
- if possible, meet to rehearse
Compositions for tutorial performance should:
- not exceed one minute
Submission guidelines
The assessment is in tutorials.
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.
If there are medical obstructions to your group performing in tutorials, apply for a deferral through the regular channels. In this instance, you will be asked to perform in the following tutorial week, or to provide a video recording.
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.
Listening tests (3)
- In-person
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Quiz
- Weight
- 30% 10% per test
- Due date
19/08/2024 - 21/10/2024
During the lecture (weeks 5, 8, 13)
- Learning outcomes
- L03, L05
Task description
Three listening tests will be held during the first 15 minutes of three separate lectures. The tests are scheduled for Week 5, Week 8 and Week 12.
In the listening tests you will be asked to identify the composer and title of the set listening works. You will also be asked to identify possible composers and stylistic traits of music not on the required listening list, and to comment on the music in the test. The tests consist of short-answer questions, and will be explained in more detail in class and on the Blackboard site.
Listening test questions
The three listening tests (each 10%) will each have ten questions, each worth one mark (one percentage point of the course's final tally). The listening test will happen at the beginning of the lecture. Each test will be completed on test sheets that the lecturer will hand out at the beginning of the class.
Here are the questions that will be used in the first listening test:
(Each pair of questions (1-2, 3,4, 5,6 etc) is based on a separate audio excerpt played during the test. You will have 3 minutes of silent writing time following the lecturer's playback of each 1-minute excerpt. At the end of the test, the lecturer will repeat the playback of the five excerpts)
- Name the composer and title of this excerpt
- Identify one of the most prominent stylistic features of this excerpt (10-30 words)
- Name the composer and title of this excerpt
- Identify one of the most prominent stylistic features of this excerpt (10-30 words)
- Name the composer and title of this excerpt
- Identify one of the most prominent stylistic features of this excerpt (10-30 words)
- Name the composer and title of this excerpt
- Identify one of the most prominent stylistic features of this excerpt (10-30 words)
- Name the composer and title of this excerpt
- Identify one of the most prominent stylistic features of this excerpt (10-30 words)
Submission guidelines
Each quiz will be submitted during the lecture on handwritten papers that are supplied during the lecture. The quiz takes place at the beginning of the lecture in each of the three weeks.
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.
If medical conditions require a deferral of the quiz, a separate time can be arranged by applying through the regular channels.
Late submission
You will receive a mark of 0 if this assessment is submitted late.
Late submission is not possible as this assessment item takes place during the lecture. If attendance at the lecture is not possible, you will need to arrange a deferral before the lecture time.
Exam
- In-person
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Examination
- Weight
- 40%
- Due date
End of Semester Exam Period
2/11/2024 - 16/11/2024
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L04, L05
Task description
The final exam (centrally scheduled during exam period) tests your knowledge formed from lectures and readings. The exam will consist of:
Ten multiple-choice questions (10 marks - one mark each) (these will be similar to what is found in the practice tests provided each week on Blackboard to test the reading and lecture knowledge)
Five short answer questions (10 marks - two marks each) - these will require more synthesis of knowledge from the course than the multiple-choice questions
Four longer answer questions (20 marks - five marks each) - these will require further synthesis of knowledge, critical thinking and making arguments from your own conclusions based on the evidence. To prepare for the short answer and longer answer questions, you should know the arguments and materials in the readings and lectures.
To help prepare for the exam, a weekly practice test is provided, corresponding to the weekly reading and lecture. This weekly test is not included in your assessment results.
To prepare for the exam, you will need to be familiar with each week's set reading and with the lecture material. Lecture summaries are provided on Blackboard, and lectures will be recorded and accessible on the Blackboard site.
Exam details
| Planning time | 10 minutes |
|---|---|
| Duration | 120 minutes |
| Calculator options | No calculators permitted |
| Open/closed book | Closed Book examination - no written materials permitted |
| Exam platform | Paper based |
| Invigilation | Invigilated in person |
Submission guidelines
Deferral or extension
You may be able to defer this exam.
Standard examination deferral applies.
Late submission
You will receive a mark of 0 if this assessment is submitted late.
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: Some engagement with the assessment tasks; however no demonstrated evidence of understanding of the concepts in the field of study |
| 2 (Fail) | 25 - |
Minimal evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Deficiencies in understanding the fundamental concepts of the field of study |
| 3 (Marginal Fail) | 45 - |
Demonstrated evidence of developing achievement of course learning outcomes Course grade description: Superficial understanding of the fundamental concepts of the field of study |
| 4 (Pass) | 50 - |
Demonstrated evidence of functional achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Adequate knowledge of fundamental concepts of the field of study |
| 5 (Credit) | 65 - |
Demonstrated evidence of proficient achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Good knowledge of fundamental concepts of the field of study |
| 6 (Distinction) | 75 - |
Demonstrated evidence of advanced achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Substantial knowledge of fundamental concepts of the field of study |
| 7 (High Distinction) | 85 - |
Demonstrated evidence of exceptional achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Mastery of content |
Additional course grading information
Marking criteria and/or marking rubrics are available in the ‘Assessment’ folder in Blackboard for this course.
The assessment follows criterion-based practices, and standards will be assessed based on criteria, then converted into set percentages (there is no variation within a standard). An awarded grade will be converted into the following percentages where necessary (NB. these percentages are not the same as the minimum percentage required for each grade, but are what the grade is converted into to represent the grade as a percentage):
1=20%
2=30%
3=47%
4=55%
5=70%
6=80%
7=90%
Supplementary assessment
Supplementary assessment is available for this course.
Additional assessment information
This course has been designed to be challenging, authentic and complex. While students may use AI technologies, successful completion of assessment in this course will require students to critically engage in specific contexts and tasks for which artificial intelligence will provide only limited support and guidance.
A failure to reference AI use may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
To pass this assessment, students will be required to demonstrate detailed comprehension of their written submission independent of AI tools.
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.
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 |
Lecture Learning outcomes: L01, L03, L04, L05 |
Multiple weeks From Week 2 To Week 13 |
Tutorial |
Tutorials In the tutorials, we listen to the week's music examples and discuss them. We also hear your performances of your compositions and have listening tests. Learning outcomes: L02, L04 |
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
- Health and Wellbeing for Musicians