Unit outline_

JAZZ1602: Jazz Performance 2

Semester 2, 2025 [Normal day] - Sydney

This foundational unit continues the introduction of core principles and practices commenced in Jazz Performance 1. Through instrument-specific Principal Study, students will continue to develop essential technical skills for advanced instrumental performance. They will learn to identify, analyse, apply, and evaluate key processes for mastering and manipulating rhythmic, harmonic, and melodic material for improvisation. Students will explore how to apply these processes within common jazz repertoire and performance settings.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Jazz
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
? 
JAZZ1601
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
JAZZ1007
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Hannah James, h.james@sydney.edu.au
The census date for this unit availability is 1 September 2025
Type Description Weight Due Length Use of AI
Written work Performance 2 Written Learning Reflection
Written reflection critically examining learning, progress, and key insights gained throughout the unit.
2.5% Formal exam period
Due date: 21 Nov 2025 at 23:59

Closing date: 28 Jul 2025
500 words AI allowed
Outcomes assessed: LO5
In-person practical, skills, or performance task or test Instrumental principal study teacher grade
Demonstrated effort and technical and creative development.
30% Ongoing Ongoing throughout semester AI prohibited
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Attendance - accreditation or faculty requirement Jazz Performance Workshop
Students are assessed on their attendance and contributions in Jazz Performance Workshop both as performers and in their constructive feedback to peers.
5% Ongoing On-going throughout semester Not applicable
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
In-person practical, skills, or performance task or test 1st Year Performance Jury
Year-end summative performance demonstration. Refer to the Canvas site for detailed task requirements and marking guidelines.
20% STUVAC 1 hour AI prohibited
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
In-person practical, skills, or performance task or test hurdle task Early Feedback Task Early Feedback Task
Module 3 Task 1. In-class demonstration of skills developed from week 1-3 #earlyfeedbacktask
10% Week 03 50mins AI prohibited
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3
In-person practical, skills, or performance task or test Module 3: Task 2
Module 3: Task 2 Concluding demonstration of skills development
10% Week 06 50mins AI prohibited
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO4
Written work Module 3 Written Learning Reflection
Short individual reflection on Module 3 learning and skill development.
2.5% Week 07
Due date: 21 Sep 2025 at 23:59

Closing date: 05 Oct 2025
200-500 Words AI allowed
Outcomes assessed: LO5
In-person practical, skills, or performance task or test Module 4: Task 1
Module 4: Task 1 Initial demonstration of skills development
10% Week 09 50 Mins AI prohibited
Outcomes assessed: LO2 LO4
In-person practical, skills, or performance task or test Module 4: Task 2
Module 4: Task 2 Concluding demonstration of skill development
10% Week 13 50mins AI prohibited
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO4
hurdle task = hurdle task ?
early feedback task = early feedback task ?

Early feedback task

This unit includes an early feedback task, designed to give you feedback prior to the census date for this unit. Details are provided in the Canvas site and your result will be recorded in your Marks page. It is important that you actively engage with this task so that the University can support you to be successful in this unit.

Assessment summary

Full assessment details can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

 

Result name

Mark range

Description

High distinction

85 - 100

Work of an exceptional standard, demonstrating outstanding achievement in all learning outcomes and significant depth of understanding or creativity.

Distinction

75 - 84

Work of a very high standard, demonstrating strong achievement in all learning outcomes with some evidence of originality or advanced application.

Credit

65 - 74

Work of a good standard, demonstrating solid achievement in most learning outcomes and a clear understanding of key concepts.

Pass

50 - 64

Work of an acceptable standard, meeting the minimum requirements for achievement in the learning outcomes.

Fail

0 - 49

The learning outcomes of the unit have not been met to a satisfactory standard.

 

For more information see guide to grades.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

You can use generative AI tools for open assessments. Restrictions on AI use apply to secure, supervised assessments used to confirm if students have met specific learning outcomes.

Refer to the assessment table above to see if AI is allowed, for assessments in this unit and check Canvas for full instructions on assessment tasks and AI use.

If you use AI, you must always acknowledge it. Misusing AI may lead to a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

  • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
  • After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

Late submission In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date: Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date. After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded. For a missed in class performance assessment, a formal special considerations application must be submitted by the student and approved. The student will complete the task or an appropriate adjustment task in the following class. If an application is rejected or not submitted the student will receive a zero grade.

Academic integrity

The University expects students to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

Our website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. This includes advice on how to avoid common breaches of academic integrity. Ensure that you have completed the Academic Honesty Education Module (AHEM) which is mandatory for all commencing coursework students

Penalties for serious breaches can significantly impact your studies and your career after graduation. It is important that you speak with your unit coordinator if you need help with completing assessments.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Weekly Principal Study - Instrumental Instruction One-to-one tuition (1 hr) LO3 LO2 LO1 LO5 LO4
Jazz Improvisation Tutorial Class Tutorial (2 hr) LO3 LO2 LO1 LO5 LO4
Jazz Performance Workshop Workshop (1 hr) LO1 LO5 LO4

Attendance and class requirements

Attendance: Students are expected to attend a minimum of 90% of timetabled activities for a unit of study, unless granted exemption by the Dean, Head of School or professor most concerned. The Dean, Head of School or professor most concerned may determine that a student fails a unit of study because of inadequate attendance. Alternatively, at their discretion, they may set additional assessment items where attendance is lower than 90%.

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. Demonstrate an increasing understanding and application of foundational instrument-specific technical principles and skills
  • LO2. Demonstrate an increasing understanding and application of foundational processes for learning and manipulating rhythmic, harmonic and melodic material for improvisation
  • LO3. Demonstrate increasing fluency with major, melodic minor, diminished, diminished blues, and whole-tone scales and their associated applications.
  • LO4. Effectively and creatively apply an expanding range of instrumental techniques and improvisational skills to jazz repertoire and performance contexts, demonstrating proficiency appropriate to a first-year level.
  • LO5. Demonstrate an increasing ability to effectively reflect on and evaluate individual learning processes.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1 Depth of disciplinary expertise

Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.

GQ2 Critical thinking and problem solving

Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.

GQ3 Oral and written communication

Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.

GQ4 Information and digital literacy

Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.

GQ5 Inventiveness

Generating novel ideas and solutions.

GQ6 Cultural competence

Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.

GQ7 Interdisciplinary effectiveness

Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.

GQ8 Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity

An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.

GQ9 Influence

Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes Graduate qualities
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

Reduced repertoire learning work load Increased emphasis on student development of Improvisation techniques and processes, implementation of reflective learning practices

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.