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
Introduces students to a selection of methods and case studies in related areas of music analysis and music criticism. Students will consider relevant literature and examples and apply their knowledge and skills to a range of tasks. The course cultivates approaches to Western music repertoire that include both internal concepts of musical organisation and structure and external issues of music and its broader social meanings. Please note that this course offering may be cancelled if fewer than 10 students enrol.
Music analysis and music criticsm are related fields. Analysis tends to concernﾠ"the music itself," that is, the organisation of musical structures such as pitch, meter, form, and so on. Criticism tends to concern ﾠexplanations of music as a socio-cultural phenomenon, its meanings and siginficance in the "wider world." ﾠTo be able to do the latter, we need skills in the form er;ﾠwithout the latter, the former is at best self serving. ﾠMUSC3580 provides you with an introduction to how these two ways of understanding music relate and initiates your develpoment ofﾠskills and knowledge in both. ﾠIn a single semester ﾠit dos not show every possibility or cover a large number of methods.ﾠInstead, this introduction is intended shows you how powerful an analytically a ndﾠcritically informed approach to ﾠmusic can be and provides a basis upon which you are able to ﾠdevelop these skills for future application.
Course requirements
Assumed background
This is a third-year course. Studentsﾠare expected to have passed level 3ﾠmusicianship (i.e. MUSC3060 or MUSC2620, or equivalent) and also have completed at least #4 in Western Music History courses (i.e. MUSC1050 plus at least one of MUSC2501 or MUSC2510, or equivalent). Students without this background must consult the course co-ordinator before considering enroling in the course.
Prerequisites
You'll need to complete the following courses before enrolling in this one:
MUSC2060
Incompatible
You can't enrol in this course if you've already completed the following:
MUSC2640
Course contact
Course staff
Lecturer
Timetable
The timetable for this course is available on the UQ Public Timetable.
Aims and outcomes
The course aims to provide you with an introduction to concepts around the analysis and criticism of Western art music. Very specific methods and repertoire are selected in order to foster a deeper level of understanding than possible through a broad selection. By the end of the course, you will have a good understanding of how these concepts relate to a specific domain and will have the basis to extend your understanding into other kinds of repertoire and analytical/critical methods.
Learning outcomes
After successfully completing this course you should be able to:
LO1.
apply selected methods of formal analysis to tonal repertoire of Western art music
LO2.
engage in sensitive and nuanced discussion of tonal works from the Western art-music repertoire which shows analytical and critical awareness
LO3.
read analytical and critical discussions of tonal repertoire of Western art music with clarity and confidence
LO4.
understand, based on acquisition of analytical and critical skills, how tonal works of the Western art-music tradition relate as cultural objects in their time and place and in ours
LO5.
communicate analytical and/or critical ideas in relation to tonal music of the Western art-music tradition in the appropriate mode, level and style
Assessment
Assessment summary
| Category | Assessment task | Weight | Due date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper/ Report/ Annotation | Small Forms | 20% |
20/08/2024 2:00 pm |
| Paper/ Report/ Annotation, Essay/ Critique | Sonata movement | 40% |
1/10/2024 2:00 pm |
| Essay/ Critique | Critical Analytical Discussion of Set Work | 40% |
4/11/2024 2:00 pm |
| Participation/ Student contribution, Tutorial/ Problem Set | Small, regular homework tasks | hurdle with incentive |
Week to week as specified |
Assessment details
Small Forms
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Paper/ Report/ Annotation
- Weight
- 20%
- Due date
20/08/2024 2:00 pm
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L05
Task description
Analysis of a short piece of instrumental music in the classical style, utilising methods developed in the first four weeks of the course. Analysis comprises annotated score and short verbal commentary (max. 300 words).
Further details are provided in week 3 via Blackboard.
Submission guidelines
Work is submitted via Blackboard or handed to the lecturer in hard copy in class before the due date and time.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 14 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
Late submission
A penalty of 1 grade for each 24 hour period from time submission is due will apply for up to 7 days. After 7 days you will receive a mark of 0.
Sonata movement
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Paper/ Report/ Annotation, Essay/ Critique
- Weight
- 40%
- Due date
1/10/2024 2:00 pm
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L05
Task description
Analysis of a movement of instrumental music in sonata form. Analysis takes the form of an annotated score and critical observations in written form (max. 1000 words). Analysis includes all relevant approaches studied in the course to week 8.
Further details are provided in week 7.
Submission guidelines
Submission is via Blackboard or handed to the lecturer in hard copy in class before the due date and time.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 14 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
Late submission
A penalty of 1 grade for each 24 hour period from time submission is due will apply for up to 7 days. After 7 days you will receive a mark of 0.
Critical Analytical Discussion of Set Work
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Essay/ Critique
- Weight
- 40%
- Due date
4/11/2024 2:00 pm
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L04, L05
Task description
A critical/analytical essay on a set work (to be chosen from a list) or analysis (from a set list). This is the final assessment for the course. Students are expected to draw on a range of approaches and ideas developed over the course. Word length: 2000-2500 words plus musical examples as necessary. As a university essay, standard expectations concerning documentation of sources and referencing apply.
More details will be provided by week 11, including assessment criteria and rubrics.
Submission guidelines
The work will be submitted electronically via Turnitin.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 7 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
Late submission
A penalty of 1 grade for each 24 hour period from time submission is due will apply for up to 7 days. After 7 days you will receive a mark of 0.
Small, regular homework tasks
- Mode
- Activity/ Performance, Written
- Category
- Participation/ Student contribution, Tutorial/ Problem Set
- Weight
- hurdle with incentive
- Due date
Week to week as specified
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L04
Task description
- Short homework tasks are set most (but not all) weeks
- These homework tasks form a basis of discussion in the week following that in which they are set, usually at the start of class
- Record of completion of all save one of these tasks will enable a final grade elevation in marginal cases (within 0.2 of the next highest grading band) in the case of passing grades only. To count, work must be submitted as per the previous point and done in good faith.
- This assessment is intended primarily as formative, not summative—hence the potential affect on grades is minimal and submission is restricted to those who are able to attend and participate in the related learning.
- Extensions for homework tasks are not possible.
Submission guidelines
Tasks are set in a given week and brought to class by students the following week, with work completed to the best of their ability. Students will have the opportunity to correct and/or revise their homework during an assigned part of the class and/or afterwards. Students will then upload a PDF copy of their homework (including any corrections or revisions) to the Homework Journal in the Assessment section of the course Learn.UQ site within 48 hours of the class.
Deferral or extension
You cannot defer or apply for an extension for this assessment.
Because the homework tasks are formative tasks related to specific week-to-week content, and intended for use during the relevant class, provision of extensions is not meaningful.
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 % | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 (Low Fail) | 1 - |
Absence of evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Work is seriously deficient of expectations in most or all aspects. |
| 2 (Fail) | 25 - |
Minimal evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Lacks analytical or critical insight across a number of assessment tasks. |
| 3 (Marginal Fail) | 45 - |
Demonstrated evidence of developing achievement of course learning outcomes Course grade description: Still developing level of analytical and critical insight shown across assessment tasks. |
| 4 (Pass) | 50 - |
Demonstrated evidence of functional achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Sufficient level of analytical and critical insight shown across most assessment tasks. |
| 5 (Credit) | 65 - |
Demonstrated evidence of proficient achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Sound level of analytical and critical insight shown across most assessment tasks. |
| 6 (Distinction) | 75 - |
Demonstrated evidence of advanced achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: High level of analytical and critical insight shown across all assessment tasks. |
| 7 (High Distinction) | 85 - |
Demonstrated evidence of exceptional achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Outstanding level of analytical and critical insight shown across all assessment tasks. |
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
Specific references and resources will be supplied throughout the course on a regular basis, either electronicalloy or in hardcopy. ﾠStudents are not required to purchase any specific texts.
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 |
|---|---|---|
Week 1 (22 Jul - 28 Jul) |
Seminar |
Course Introduction Overview and rationale for course plan and contents. Introductory activities and discussion of reading. Learning outcomes: L01, L02 |
Week 2 (29 Jul - 04 Aug) |
Seminar |
Formal Functions 1 Formal Function Theory: Classical theme types—sentence, period, hybrids Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03 |
Week 3 (05 Aug - 11 Aug) |
Seminar |
Formal Functions 2 Formal Function Theory: Classical theme types—deviations, compound themes Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03 |
Week 4 (12 Aug - 18 Aug) |
Seminar |
Formal Functions 3 Caplin: Classical theme types small ternary, small binary Readings/Ref: CAPLIN (Chi 7–8) Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04 |
Week 5 (19 Aug - 25 Aug) |
Seminar |
Classical Sonata 1 Caplin: Sonata forms (introduction) Readings/Ref: CAPLIN (Chs 9–15) Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04 |
Week 6 (26 Aug - 01 Sep) |
Seminar |
Classical Sonata 2 Hepekoski and Darcy: Sonata theory (introduction) Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04 |
Week 7 (02 Sep - 08 Sep) |
Seminar |
Classical Sonata 3 Consolidation of approaches to analysis of classical sonata-form movement Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04 |
Week 9 (16 Sep - 22 Sep) |
Seminar |
Music and meaning 1 Topic theory and other ideas of musical signification Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04 |
Week 10 (30 Sep - 06 Oct) |
Seminar |
Music and meaning 2 Music as narrative ways of understanding larger forms in relation to meaning Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04 |
Week 11 (07 Oct - 13 Oct) |
Seminar |
Music and meaning 3 Narrative and meta narrative large-scale forms as expressions of generalised narrative archetypes set against specific referential meanings (such as programs) Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04 |
Week 12 (14 Oct - 20 Oct) |
Seminar |
Music and Meaning 4 Consolidation of topic and discussion around final assessment Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05 |
Week 13 (21 Oct - 27 Oct) |
Seminar |
Course finalisation and review 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 - 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