Course coordinator
Dr Anne Levitsky
Course overview
- Study period
- Semester 1, 2025 (24/02/2025 - 21/06/2025)
- Study level
- Undergraduate
- Location
- St Lucia
- Attendance mode
- In Person
- Units
- 2
- Administrative campus
- St Lucia
- Coordinating unit
- Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences
This course introduces students to the integral role of music in the development of Western cultures from the Renaissance to the present time. Music is examined both as an artefact of Western cultures and as an agent of change within them. Canonic works are considered within their broader social, political and historical contexts. Diversity of music-making amongst all communities of practitioners and listeners will inform the selection of works for appraisal and analysis. For example, the course will examine the ways Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander performers use, challenge and resist Western music traditions to create new and exciting forms. Students will develop their ability to listen critically to Western music as well as reading critically around it. Through engagement with the materials and ideas of this course, students will develop insights which will support their broader understanding of major themes and directions running throughout Western cultures.
In this course, we examine a variety of works and practices from the Western art music tradition between the medieval period and the present day. Lectures will introduce students to key periods and movements and their associated musical practices, aesthetics and philosophies, whilst seminars will focus on a particular canonical work. Through a series of critical listening activities and selected readings, we explore the stylistic characteristics of musical works and the ways they have either challenged or engaged with contemporary forms of cultural production, politics, religion, and social mores and values. Students will expand their knowledge of specialist language used to describeﾠthe aesthetic properties of music, and develop the skills to critically analyse music as a product of Western society and an instrument of change within it. This course also looks at the ways that some music practitioners and communities have challenged dominant modes of music-making in the West.
ﾠ
Course requirements
Assumed background
No knowledge of music is assumed in this course. You do not need to know how to read music, play an instrument, or have any musical experience at all.
Prerequisites
You'll need to complete the following courses before enrolling in this one:
WCIV1000 or 4 units of HUMN courses.
Restrictions
BAdvHum(Hons) and BHum/LLB(Hons) students only. BAdvHum(Hons) students taking this course as an elective please email westernciv@uq.edu.au to enable your enrolment. The maximum enrolment quota is 40.
Course contact
Course staff
Lecturer
Dr Anne Levitsky
Timetable
The timetable for this course is available on the UQ Public Timetable.
Aims and outcomes
WCIV2500 aims to:
1. Introduce students to canonical works of Western art music from the Middle Ages to the present day.
2.ﾠ Explore a variety of traditions within Western art music, as well as shifting boundaries and conceptions of Western art music as a category.
3.ﾠ Develop the skills to critically listen to and write about music.
4. Teach students to critically analyse music as a cultural product and as a cultural agent of change across ﾠa variety of social, cultural, and political contexts.ﾠ
ﾠ
ﾠ
Learning outcomes
After successfully completing this course you should be able to:
LO1.
Critically listen to, discuss and write about the stylistic aspects of a variety of genres and forms from the Western art music tradition.
LO2.
Appreciate the ways in which music has been a product of Western culture and an agent of change within it.
LO3.
Be able to position canonical works and musical ideas across a variety of social, political and historical contexts.
LO4.
Understand key philosophical and theoretical ideas that have shaped Western musical aesthetics.
LO5.
Interrogate and challenge accepted narratives about Western art music.
LO6.
Appreciate how certain musical communities and practitioners have challenged and resisted dominant ideas and practices of music-making in the West.
LO7.
Be able to work well together with peers in small groups.
Assessment
Assessment summary
| Category | Assessment task | Weight | Due date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Participation/ Student contribution |
Seminar Participation
|
15% |
25/02/2025 - 27/05/2025 |
| Presentation |
Group Presentation
|
20% |
8/04/2025 |
| Essay/ Critique | Critical Essay | 35% |
30/05/2025 2:00 pm |
| Examination |
Listening Exam
|
30% |
End of Semester Exam Period 7/06/2025 - 21/06/2025 |
Assessment details
Seminar Participation
- In-person
- Mode
- Activity/ Performance, Written
- Category
- Participation/ Student contribution
- Weight
- 15%
- Due date
25/02/2025 - 27/05/2025
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06, L07
Task description
A maximum of 15% of the course grade will be awarded for participation. Students will be evaluated on the following: seminar attendance, participation in class activities and tasks, meaningful contributions to group discussions, evidence of preparation through discussion of required readings and listenings, and completion of short writing tasks in class.
This assessment task 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.
Submission guidelines
Deferral or extension
You cannot defer or apply for an extension for this assessment.
Group Presentation
- Team or group-based
- In-person
- Mode
- Activity/ Performance, Oral
- Category
- Presentation
- Weight
- 20%
- Due date
8/04/2025
- Learning outcomes
- L02, L05, L06, L07
Task description
In groups of 3-4, you will deliver a 15-minute presentation addressing one of four articles you have been assigned. Groups should connect their assigned article to the other materials assigned to the whole class for that day.
When preparing your presentation, please create a visual aid (PowerPoint) and script. You will submit your script and visual aid by the beginning of your seminar. Please label the slides and script with the portions that each group member prepared.
The University has a collection of resources to assist students with group work. It is recommended you access the following to help prepare you for this assessment item, or to assist with overcoming any problems that may arise:
• Making groups work (https://www.uq.edu.au/student-services/learning/making-groups-work)
• Problems associated with group work (https://www.uq.edu.au/student-services/learning/problems-associated-group-work)
• Stages of group formation (https://www.uq.edu.au/student-services/learning/stages-group-formation)
If you encounter a problem with your team that you cannot resolve through discussion with your fellow group members, contact your Course Coordinator. All reasonable attempts to resolve the matter within the group are expected to have been made prior to contacting the Course Coordinator.
Please note that, in accordance with University policy, presentations will be recorded. Students can choose to opt out of having their presentation recorded, though this may affect the ability of the presentation to be re-marked.
This assessment task 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.
Submission guidelines
Deferral or extension
You cannot defer or apply for an extension for this assessment.
Critical Essay
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Essay/ Critique
- Weight
- 35%
- Due date
30/05/2025 2:00 pm
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06
Task description
In 2000 words, explain how one composition responded to, challenged, or conformed to the prevailing culture of its time and place. You can choose the composition from the list below, or meet with me to choose another piece of music we have not discussed extensively in class. Your response may include (but is not limited to) aspects such as: artistic production, aesthetics and taste culture, philosophical ideas, religion, political events and ideologies, and/or gender norms.
Responses must also refer to at least 6 academic sources, to be cited using MLA style and footnotes with a complete List of References. Please note that Lists of References will not count towards the word limit.
In Week 11, you will prepare a short presentation about your research and share it with your peers in our seminar. We will discuss the particulars of this presentation in class.
List of Possible Works:
Leonin, “Viderunt Omnes”
Cantigas de Santa Maria, “Cantiga 6”
Josquin des Prez, Nymphes des Bois
Cristobal de Morales, Circumdederunt me
Henry Purcell, Dido and Aeneas
Georg Friedrich Handel, Messiah
Ludwig van Beethoven, Symphony No. 5
Giacomo Puccini, Madama Butterfly
Alban Berg, Wozzeck
This task has been designed to be challenging, authentic and complex. Whilst 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.
Submission guidelines
Essay must be submitted through Turnitin on the course Blackboard site.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 21 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.
10% of maximum mark per day that the essay is late.
Listening Exam
- In-person
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Examination
- Weight
- 30%
- Due date
End of Semester Exam Period
7/06/2025 - 21/06/2025
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L04, L06
Task description
The final exam will consist of listening ID questions, short answer questions, and essay questions. You will receive a list of pieces of music that can appear on the exam, all of which have been discussed in class (either as the main work for any given day, or as a comparative example).
Listening ID questions will ask you to identify the artist, title, genre, and date of the work. Short answer questions will be concerned with the general meaning, style, and historical context of the piece, and essay questions will test your ability to make connections between pieces of music from different contexts and periods.
This assessment task is to be completed in-person. The use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools will not be permitted. Any attempted use of AI may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Exam details
| Planning time | no planning time minutes |
|---|---|
| Duration | 90 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.
Course grading
Full criteria for each grade is available in the Assessment Procedure.
| Grade | Cut off Percent | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 (Low Fail) | 0 - 24.99 |
Absence of evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Grade 1, Serious Fail (0-24.99%), is generally awarded in cases where some work has been submitted, but of wholly unsatisfactory standard or quantity.ﾠIn work submitted, however, there is no demonstrated evidence of understanding of the concepts of the field of study or basic requirements of the course. |
| 2 (Fail) | 25 - 44.99 |
Minimal evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Grade 2, Fail (25-44.99%),ﾠis generally awarded to work that exhibits deficiencies in understanding and applying the fundamental concepts of the course and field of study, and as such, does not satisfy the basic requirements of the course. Often, one or more major items of assessment will not have been completed. |
| 3 (Marginal Fail) | 45 - 49.99 |
Demonstrated evidence of developing achievement of course learning outcomes Course grade description: Grade 3, Marginal Fail (45-49.99%),ﾠis generally awarded if a student has submitted work that attempts to meet the knowledge and skill requirements of the course, but is only able to demonstrate a superficial understanding of the fundamental concepts of the course. Students will usually have attempted all major pieces of assessment and show that they have an identifiable, emerging ability to apply basic knowledge and skills. |
| 4 (Pass) | 50 - 64.99 |
Demonstrated evidence of functional achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Grade 4, Pass (50-64.99%),ﾠis generally awarded where all major items of assessment have been submitted. An adequate knowledge of the fundamental concepts of the course and field of study should be demonstrated and a functional skill level achieved. |
| 5 (Credit) | 65 - 74.99 |
Demonstrated evidence of proficient achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Grade 5, Credit (65-74.99%),ﾠis generally awarded where all items of assessment have been completed and a substantial understanding of the fundamental concepts of the course and field of study have been demonstrated.ﾠ |
| 6 (Distinction) | 75 - 84.99 |
Demonstrated evidence of advanced achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Grade 6, Distinction (75-84.99%),ﾠis generally awarded where all items of assessment have been completed and substantial knowledge of the deeper and more complex aspects of the course and field of study have been demonstrated.ﾠ |
| 7 (High Distinction) | 85 - 100 |
Demonstrated evidence of exceptional achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Grade 7, High Distinction (85-100%),ﾠis generally awarded where all items of assessment have been completed and there is evidence that the deeper and more complex aspects of the course and field of study have been mastered. |
Supplementary assessment
Supplementary assessment is available for this course.
Additional assessment information
Proof of Assessment Submission
Assignments for this course will be submitted electronically via Blackboard and using TurnItIn. Advice for using TurnItIn can be found here - how to submit a TurnItIn assignment.
When assessments are successfully submitted a notice will display, before the Assignment Dashboard will appear.
Students must download a digital receipt from the Assignment Dashboard as evidence of submitting a piece of assessment. The digital receipt must include ‘Submission date’ and ‘Submission ID’ as evidence of assignment submission. Other documentation provided as evidence will not be accepted.
Marks Cannot be Changed After Being Released
Marks are not open to negotiation with course staff. If you wish to discuss the feedback you have received, you should make an appointment to speak with the Course Coordinator.
Assessment Re-mark
Information on requesting an assessment re-mark can be accessed via my.UQ ﾖ https://my.uq.edu.au/information-and-services/manage-my-program/academic-progress-and-final-results/querying-result.
Deferred Examinations (if applicable)
The University recognises that on occasion a medical condition or other exceptional circumstances may impair a studentﾒs ability to attend an examination at the scheduled date and time. Depending on the circumstances, a deferred examination may be approved, and the student permitted to sit the in-semester or end of semester examination at a later scheduled time. Information on eligibility and application instructions can be accessed via my.UQ ﾖ https://my.uq.edu.au/information-and-services/manage-my-program/exams-and-assessment/deferring-exam.
Integrity Pledge
Assignments for this course will be submitted electronically via Blackboard and using Turnitin. Before submitting any assignments, students must ensure to have completed UQ's compulsory online Academic Integrity Tutorial ﾖ https://www.uq.edu.au/integrity/Login.aspx?ReturnUrl=%252fintegrity.
In uploading an assignment via Turnitin you are certifying that it is your original work, that it has not been copied in whole or part from another person or source except where this is properly acknowledged, and that it has not in whole or part been previously submitted for assessment in any other course at this or any other university.
Withholding marks prior to finalisation of grades
In accordance with the Assessment Judgements section of the Assessment Procedures, results for all summative assessment items are made available to individual students through the eLearning Management System on completion of marking, with the exception of the final assessment item which is to be released only after the final grade for the course has been released.
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 |
|---|---|---|
Lecture |
Introduction to the course Learning outcomes: L01, L02 |
|
Seminar |
What to Listen For in Music Learning outcomes: L01, L02 |
|
Lecture |
Sound, Space and Musical Development in the MidAge Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04 |
|
Seminar |
Perotin, Viderunt omnes Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04 |
|
Lecture |
Music and the Church in the Middle Ages Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04 |
|
Seminar |
Hildegard von Bingen Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04 |
|
Lecture |
Courtly Love and Secular Song Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05 |
|
Seminar |
Comtessa de Dia & Bernart de Ventadorn Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05 |
|
Lecture |
The Cult of Genius Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05 |
|
Seminar |
Josquin des Prez; Palestrina, Missa Papae Marcelli Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05 |
|
Lecture |
The Beginnings of Opera Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04 |
|
Seminar |
Monteverdi, Madrigals: Books 4 & 8 Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04 |
|
Lecture |
Music as a Tool of Conquest Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06 |
|
Seminar |
In-Class Presentations; Guerrero Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06, L07 |
|
Lecture |
Sacred Music of the Baroque Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04 |
|
Seminar |
J.S. Bach, Well-Tempered Clavier; St. John Passion Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04 |
|
Lecture |
"Genius," Legacy, and Canon Formation Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05 |
|
Seminar |
Beethoven, Symphony No. 9 Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05 |
|
Lecture |
Wagner & Puccini Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05 |
|
Seminar |
Wagner, Ring des Nibelungen; Puccini, Madama Butte Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05 |
|
Lecture |
"Unsounding" the West: 20th c. Modernism Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05 |
|
Seminar |
Stravinsky & Schoenberg Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05 |
|
Lecture |
Australian Art Music in the 21st Century Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06 |
|
Seminar |
Cheetham Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06 |
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.