Course coordinator
Dr Robert Davidson
Course overview
- Study period
- Semester 2, 2025 (28/07/2025 - 22/11/2025)
- Study level
- Undergraduate
- Location
- St Lucia
- Attendance mode
- In Person
- Units
- 2
- Administrative campus
- St Lucia
- Coordinating unit
- Music School
Study of Western Art Music from circa 1890 to the present in social context, including the 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
Prerequisites
You'll need to complete the following courses before enrolling in this one:
MUSC1050, MUSC2501
Incompatible
You can't enrol in this course if you've already completed the following:
MUSC2510
Course contact
Course staff
Lecturer
Dr Robert Davidson
Tutor
Mr Aaron Brown
Dr Erik Griswold
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 to the present day
- 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 to the present day.
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 to the present day 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 4 18/08/2025 - 22/08/2025 Week 6 1/09/2025 - 5/09/2025 Week 9 22/09/2025 - 26/09/2025 Week 11 13/10/2025 - 17/10/2025 Week 13 27/10/2025 - 31/10/2025
Due during scheduled tutorial times. |
| Quiz |
Listening Test 1
|
15% |
9/09/2025 4:00 pm
During the scheduled lecture. |
| Quiz |
Listening Test 2
|
15% |
21/10/2025 4:00 pm
During the scheduled lecture. |
| Examination |
Exam
|
40% |
End of Semester Exam Period 8/11/2025 - 22/11/2025 |
Assessment details
Tutorial participation and compositions
- Identity Verified
- Team or group-based
- In-person
- Mode
- Activity/ Performance
- Category
- Practical/ Demonstration
- Weight
- 30%
- Due date
Week 4 18/08/2025 - 22/08/2025
Week 6 1/09/2025 - 5/09/2025
Week 9 22/09/2025 - 26/09/2025
Week 11 13/10/2025 - 17/10/2025
Week 13 27/10/2025 - 31/10/2025
Due during scheduled tutorial times.
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03
Task description
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
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
Not a submissible item, in-person assessment takes place in tutorial time.
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 an extension through the regular channels. In this instance, you will be asked to perform in the following tutorial week, or to provide a video recording.
Your extension application must be submitted on or before the assessment item's due date and time, with appropriate evidence.
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 Test 1
- In-person
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Quiz
- Weight
- 15%
- Due date
9/09/2025 4:00 pm
During the scheduled lecture.
- Learning outcomes
- L03
Task description
In this listening test 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 test consist of short-answer questions, and will be explained in more detail in class and on the Blackboard site.
Listening test questions
There will be 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)
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
The 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.
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 is not possible as this in-person assessment item takes place during the lecture. If attendance at the lecture is not possible, you will need to arrange an extension before the lecture time.
Late submission
You will receive a mark of 0 if this assessment is submitted late.
Listening Test 2
- In-person
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Quiz
- Weight
- 15%
- Due date
21/10/2025 4:00 pm
During the scheduled lecture.
- Learning outcomes
- L03
Task description
In this listening test 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 test consist of short-answer questions, and will be explained in more detail in class and on the Blackboard site.
Listening test questions
There will be 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)
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
The 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.
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 is not possible as this in-person assessment item takes place during the lecture. If attendance at the lecture is not possible, you will need to arrange an extension before the lecture time.
Late submission
You will receive a mark of 0 if this assessment is submitted late.
Exam
- In-person
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Examination
- Weight
- 40%
- Due date
End of Semester Exam Period
8/11/2025 - 22/11/2025
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03
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.
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.
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.
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 Marks | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 (Low Fail) | 1 - 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) | 2 - 2 |
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) | 3 - 3 |
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) | 4 - 4 |
Demonstrated evidence of functional achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Adequate knowledge of fundamental concepts of the field of study |
| 5 (Credit) | 5 - 5 |
Demonstrated evidence of proficient achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Good knowledge of fundamental concepts of the field of study |
| 6 (Distinction) | 6 - 6 |
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) | 7 - 7 |
Demonstrated evidence of exceptional achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Mastery of content |
Additional course grading information
Determining final grades:
The final grades are determined by consideration of the weighting of individual assessment items, through the use of weighting formula and the profile of individual grades across accumulated assessment tasks. The assessment follows criterion-based practices, and standards will be assessed based on criteria; there is no variation within a standard.
All assessment items in the course (other then pass/fail items) will be provided a grade from 7–1 in accordance with the 7-point UQ grading scale. The final grade will be calculated using the weighting and the individual assignment grades as follows.
Example: A student receives the following three grades
Assignment 1 (A1): grade of 6 at 40% weighting
Assignment 2 (A2): grade of 5 at 30% weighting
Assignment 3 (A3): grade of 6 at 30% weighting
The final grade for this student, taking into account the weighting of each assignment, would be:
(A1) + (A2) + (A3)
(0.4 x 6) + (0.3 x 5) + (0.3 x 6) = 2.4 + 1.5 + 1.8 = 5.7
The final grade would be rounded to the nearest whole number; in this case the grade would be 6.
In the case where the final grade is 0.5 or above, the grade will be rounded up to the nearest whole number (e.g. 5.5 would become 6). In the case where the final grade is 0.49 or below, the grade will be rounded down to the nearest whole number (e.g. 5.49 would become 5)
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
Library resources are available 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, L02, L03 |
Multiple weeks From Week 3 To Week 13 |
Tutorial |
Tutorial Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03 |
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