MCGY0000: Semester 2, 2025

Units MCGY0000 Semester 2 2025 [Online]

Unit outline_

MCGY0000: Australian Indigenous Music

Semester 2, 2025 [Online] - Sydney

Overview

In this unit of study students will learn how Australia is home to two distinct Indigenous cultural groups: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. For tens of thousands of years, Aboriginal people used song and dance to express their identity and pass on knowledge to successive generations. Several thousand years ago Torres Strait Islanders' ancestors settled in the numerous small islands to Australia's north and they too began to establish their own unique song and dance traditions. Students will also consider the impact of history on Australian Indigenous music today; how music communicates aspects of Australian Indigenous identity, including language, instruments, dance country, kin and history.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit	Analysis, History and Cultural Studies
Credit points	0
Prerequisites ?	None
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	None
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	No

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Julia Russoniello, julia.russoniello@sydney.edu.au
Tutor(s)	Julia Russoniello, julia.russoniello@sydney.edu.au

Assessment

The census date for this unit availability is 1 September 2025

Details
Criteria

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length	Use of AI
Out-of-class quiz	Multiple Choice Quiz Mastery Assessment	30%	Week 03	May be repeated; highest score counted	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Out-of-class quiz	Multiple Choice Quiz Mastery assessment	70%	Week 13	May be repeated; highest score counted.	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:

Assessment summary

Multiple choice quiz on content from Module 1. Multiple attempts are possible with only the highest mark counted. Students MUST receive minimum 75% to pass.
Multiple choice quiz on content from entire unit. Multiple attempts are possible with only the highest mark counted. Students MUST receive minimum 75% to pass.

Assessment criteria

This is a pass or fail unit.

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:

N/A

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.

Learning support

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.

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Progressive	Module 1. Two distinct Australian Indigenous groups (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander); music and social grouping (from local mob to nation); dance; coevalness (living in the same historical epoch); song-within-a-song; new old ceremonies; healing and recovery	Independent study (1 hr)
	Module 2. Four approaches to music change following colonisation: Continuation of existing practices; Adaptation of existing practices; Revival and repatriation of older practices; Experimentation with new styles and genres	Independent study (1 hr)
	Module 3. Cultural-textual analysis; Australian Indigenous Identities (Part 1): Expressions of Pride (in community, ‘race’, culture/language and First Nations status); Protest (against the legacy of colonisation and various forms of discrimination, including Aboriginal deaths in custody); Personal stories (experiences such as being part of the Stolen Generations, living in two worlds, connections to culture)	Independent study (1 hr)
	Module 4. Australian Indigenous Identities (Part 2): Understandings of Place (incorporating country and custodianship), and exemplary People (heroes).	Independent study (1 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

This is a compulsory subject. Students must read through and complete every page in each module and receive 75% in two online tests, to satisfy the requirements of this course.

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.

Required readings

N/A

Learning outcomes

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.

Outcomes
Graduate qualities

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

LO1. Distinguish between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander musical expressions
LO2. Compare several versions of the same Australian Indigenous song performance and interpret the song’s accumulation of meaning
LO3. Explain how music is used to define social and cultural groups
LO4. Discern unique ways music is capable of providing catharsis in the face of the traumas that have divided Australians ever since colonisation
LO5. Distinguish between intended audiences for particular Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander songs, and determine their intended purposes
LO6. Distinguish between classical (traditional) Indigenous music genres and imported genres

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
Learning outcomes

Responding to student feedback

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

Student questionnaire in CANVAS site

Additional information

N/A

Additional costs

N/A

Site visit guidelines

N/A

Work, health and safety

N/A

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.

Current students

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Additional costs

Site visit guidelines

Work, health and safety

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links