Course coordinator
Dr Cory Messenger
Course overview
- Study period
- Semester 2, 2025 (21/07/2025 - 15/11/2025)
- Study level
- Undergraduate
- Location
- St Lucia
- Attendance mode
- In Person
- Units
- 2
- Administrative campus
- St Lucia
- Coordinating unit
- Music School
Examines key stylistic, technological and industrial developments in contemporary popular music that have occurred since the late 1970s beginning with post-punk/hip-hop/MTV-driven genres. Objective assessment of the complex nature of both contemporary music and the music industry.
As a companion course to MUSC1700 Introduction to Popular Music Studies, MUSC2700 Contemporary Popular Music Studies examines key stylistic, technological and industrial developments that have occurred in contemporary popular music since the late 1970s. Through a study of these changes in pop, rock, hip hop and electronic dance music, as well as broader factors such as gender and postmodernism, students will come to understand not only the numerous and highly influential stylistic and historical developments during this period, but also the industrial, technological and social forces that have always shaped popular music.
Beginning with punk- and hip hop-driven genres, the course engages with major musical styles up to the present day. Students will critically examine a wide range of music, from purely commodity-driven pop styles, to those connected to socio-political issues. The course will also examine the ways in which music technology and industry have influenced, commodified and disseminated new (and old) forms of music. Students undertaking this course will not only engage with music from the past and present, but will advance their ability to analyse objectively the complex nature of the contemporary music industry.
Course requirements
Assumed background
It is recommended that students undertake MUSC1700 Introduction to Popular Music Studies prior to this course. Musical skills, training or ability to read scores are not required.
Prerequisites
You'll need to complete the following courses before enrolling in this one:
MUSC1700
Course contact
Course staff
Tutor
Dr Cory Messenger
Timetable
The timetable for this course is available on the UQ Public Timetable.
Aims and outcomes
An overview of popular music since the late 1970s, this course employs numerous theories to help explain various changes in music since the late 1970s, the era in which punk and hip hop emerged. These two genres in particular were heralded as innovative ‘high-modernist’ events in contemporary pop music; yet they also signalled—for some critics at least—the apparent exhaustion of new and original musical forms and styles. Many subsequent trends and developments in popular music have, arguably, taken the form of a series of commercial revivals and hybrids of older musical styles (in the manner of postmodern bricolage), such as ska-punk, disco, and the various electronic and metal subgenres. These changes have been encouraged and accelerated by inexorable technological change (sampling, digitization etc.) and capitalised upon by a global music industry geared to market familiar ‘classic’ musical genres under the guise of novel trends. Yet, at the same time these very developments have provided more and more opportunities for musicians to question, challenge and undermine the racial, ethnic and gender homogeneity that had previously limited available pathways to success in the music industry.
MUSC2700 gives student the opportunity to examine the history of popular music since the 1970s—from The Ramones and Grandmaster Flash to Amyl and the Sniffers and SZA—while engaging with, or challenging, the theories applied to that history. Tutorial discussions and assessment tasks aid students in honing their research, writing and communication skills, and encourage the close examination of familiar popular music texts within contexts outside the everyday practice of subjective aesthetic evaluation. These contexts include:
Social construction/culture: gender, race, class, nationality, ethnicity, Australian hip hop, hauntologyﾠetc.
Industry: global convergence, independence vs. mainstream, recording,
Learning outcomes
After successfully completing this course you should be able to:
LO1.
Engage with past and present music forms and analyse objectively the complex nature of both contemporary music and the music industry.
LO2.
Critically examine popular music texts within contexts not restricted to, but still mindful of, more common techniques of subjective aesthetic evaluation, such as industry, postmodernism, globalisation, technology, and culture.
LO3.
Partake in informed written and verbal debates concerning the political economy of cultural production.
LO4.
Demonstrate a keen knowledge of musical production which takes place outside of mainstream contexts.
LO5.
Achieve a greater understanding of how issues such as race, cultural identity, gender and politics impact on both cultural and commercial production.
Assessment
Assessment summary
| Category | Assessment task | Weight | Due date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper/ Report/ Annotation | Research Proposal/Annotated bibliography | 10% |
22/08/2025 5:00 pm |
| Quiz | Weekly In-Class Online Multiple-choice Test | 20% |
4/08/2025 - 31/10/2025 |
| Participation/ Student contribution | Weekly discussion question | 10% |
Questions must be submitted prior to your scheduled tutorial. |
| Essay/ Critique | Final Essay | 60% |
31/10/2025 5:00 pm |
Assessment details
Research Proposal/Annotated bibliography
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Paper/ Report/ Annotation
- Weight
- 10%
- Due date
22/08/2025 5:00 pm
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L04, L05
Task description
Students are required to submit a 500-word essay proposal, plus a 500-word annotated bibliography.
The proposal should outline the research to be undertaken for the final essay (see Final Essay criteria in the Assessment section at Learn.UQ before you begin), and address the proposed argument, the broader research topic or topics (e.g., gender, race, industry, technology), the aspect of music being analysed within that context, and potential musical examples to be used (including a brief analysis of a recording).
In addition, students must present examples of initial research in the form of a bibliography listing five scholarly/academic sources, supported by annotations that briefly summarise the source and describe its potential role in your argument.
See the Assessment section at Learn.UQ for more details.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Translation (MT) are emerging tools that may support students in completing this assessment task. Students may appropriately use AI and/or MT in completing this assessment task. Students must clearly reference any use of AI or MT in each instance.
A failure to reference generative AI or MT use may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Submission guidelines
Submit via Turnitin.
- Before you submit, preview the uploaded document to make sure you have chosen the correct file.
- When you successfully submit your assessment to Turnitin, you should see the "Submission Complete!" message. After this, a downloadable Digital Receipt will display on your Assignment Dashboard. It is your responsibility to download the Digital Receipt as proof of submission. Turnitin will not send it to you automatically.
- If you don't see the downloadable Digital Receipt on your assignment dashboard, you should regard your submission as unsuccessful.
- If the submission was not successful, note the error message (preferably take a screenshot), then go to your assignment page and see if it is possible to submit again. If you cannot submit again, email your course coordinator immediately.
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.
Your extension application must be submitted on or before the assessment item's due date and time, with appropriate evidence.
While your extension request is being considered, you should work towards completing and submitting your assessment as soon as possible.
A late penalty will be applied if you don't submit your assessment on time or if you don't have a valid reason for an 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.
Weekly In-Class Online Multiple-choice Test
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Quiz
- Weight
- 20%
- Due date
4/08/2025 - 31/10/2025
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L03, L04, L05
Task description
Each week students are required to complete an online multiple-choice test covering aspects of popular music history and theory as outlined in the weekly readings. This quiz will take place in the scheduled tutorials.
Marks from your top five weeks will contribute to your final mark for this assessment. Marks will be forfeited for tutorials that are not attended.
This assessment task is to be completed in-person. The use of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Machine Translation (MT) tools will not be permitted. Any attempted use of AI or MT may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Submission guidelines
Submit via Learn.UQ Weekly Learning Modules.
The tests will be during tutorial time. There is a 20-minute time limit once you commence.
Deferral or extension
You cannot defer or apply for an extension for this assessment.
Marks from your top five weeks will contribute to your final mark for this assessment. Marks will be forfeited for tutorials that are not attended.
Late submission
You will receive a mark of 0 if this assessment is submitted late.
Weekly discussion question
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Participation/ Student contribution
- Weight
- 10%
- Due date
Questions must be submitted prior to your scheduled tutorial.
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L04, L05
Task description
Students must submit their own question for class discussion prior to each tutorial (see Learn.UQ for submission details). The question will be assessed according to its engagement with that week’s topic, in particular the weekly readings and lecture. Marks are also contingent upon the student’s presence and participation in that week’s tutorial. Completing less than seven weeks of this task will be considered a non-attempt at the assessment task.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Translation (MT) are emerging tools that may support students in completing this assessment task. Students may appropriately use AI and/or MT in completing this assessment task. Students must clearly reference any use of AI or MT in each instance.
A failure to reference generative AI or MT use may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Submission guidelines
See the weekly learning modules at Learn.UQ
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.
Your extension application must be submitted on or before the assessment item's due date and time, with appropriate evidence.
While your extension request is being considered, you should work towards completing and submitting your assessment as soon as possible.
A late penalty will be applied if you don't submit your assessment on time or if you don't have a valid reason for an extension.
Late submission
You will receive a mark of 0 if this assessment is submitted late.
Final Essay
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Essay/ Critique
- Weight
- 60%
- Due date
31/10/2025 5:00 pm
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L04, L05
Task description
Present a 2000-word research essay examining a post-1975 popular music text—e.g. album (vinyl, CD, mp3 or streaming release) or band/performer or music video collection—within one or more of the following contexts:
- gender/sexuality/identity
- race/ethnicity/nation
- industry/economy
- technology/new media
- culture/society/politics
- musicology/genre
- postmodernism/hauntology
Initial preparation for this task must be untaken for the Research Proposal/Annotated Bibliography.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Translation (MT) are emerging tools that may support students in completing this assessment task. Students may appropriately use AI and/or MT in completing this assessment task. Students must clearly reference any use of AI or MT in each instance.
A failure to reference generative AI or MT use may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
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.
Your extension application must be submitted on or before the assessment item's due date and time, with appropriate evidence.
While your extension request is being considered, you should work towards completing and submitting your assessment as soon as possible.
A late penalty will be applied if you don't submit your assessment on time or if you don't have a valid reason for an 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: All assessable work fails to meet any of the required criteria. |
| 2 (Fail) | 25 - |
Minimal evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Assessable work fails to meet the majority of the required criteria due to lack of evidence of research or critical thinking, and very poor written communication skills. |
| 3 (Marginal Fail) | 35 - |
Demonstrated evidence of developing achievement of course learning outcomes Course grade description: Assessable work fails to meet at least half of the required criteria due to insufficient evidence of research or critical thinking, and poor written communication skills. |
| 4 (Pass) | 50 - |
Demonstrated evidence of functional achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Assessable work meets many of the required criteria via some evidence of research, and acceptable levels of critical thinking and written communication skills. |
| 5 (Credit) | 65 - |
Demonstrated evidence of proficient achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Assessable work meets the required criteria via sufficient evidence of research, a strong level of critical thinking, and proficient written communication skills. |
| 6 (Distinction) | 75 - |
Demonstrated evidence of advanced achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Assessable work meets the required criteria via substantial evidence of research, a high level of critical thinking, and excellent written communication skills. |
| 7 (High Distinction) | 85 - |
Demonstrated evidence of exceptional achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Assessable work is outstanding, meeting the required criteria via research that displays strong evidence of initiative, and advanced levels of critical thought and written communication skills. |
Additional course grading information
Students must complete every assessment item to pass the course. If students do not complete every assessment item, the student's grade for the course will be capped at 3. Completing less than seven weeks of the Tutorial Participation task will be considered a non-attempt at the assessment task.
Supplementary assessment
Supplementary assessment is available for this course.
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 |
|---|---|---|
Not scheduled |
General contact hours |
Weekly Readings Weekly readings present critical, historical and social perspectives on course content. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05 |
Multiple weeks From Week 1 To Week 13 |
Lecture |
Online Lecture Series Lectures will be uploaded to Blacboard. Wk1: Introduction Wk2: Popular Music and Technology Wk3: Popular Music Industry Part 1—Recording Wk4: Popular Music Industry Part 2—Intellectual Property Wk5: Gender & Rock Wk6: Retro, Postmodernism and Hauntology (Research Proposal/Annotated bibliography due Thurs March 28) Wk7: Punk and Post-Punk Wk8: Project Week (No classes) Wk9: Hip Hop [Mid-semester break] Wk10: EDM Wk11: Metal Wk12: Indie Rock Wk13: Race, Gender and Globalization in Australian Music Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05 |
Tutorial |
Tutorial Discussions Discussion of course readings; group analysis of musical texts; preparation for assessment items. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05 |
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 for 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