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Unit of study_

MCGY2010: Harmony and Analysis 3

Semester 1, 2020 [Normal day] - Sydney

Building on the fundamentals of counterpoint and chord function established in previous semesters, the emphasis here is placed upon developing an understanding of the larger-scale compositional strategies and structures of tonal music. Alongside the study of specific harmonic vocabulary, including leading-tone seventh chords, secondary dominants and modulation, two 18th-century genres are examined which epitomise the integration of contrapuntal and harmonic thinking: the chorale settings and fugues of J.S. Bach.

Unit details and rules

Unit code MCGY2010
Academic unit
Credit points 3
Prohibitions
? 
None
Prerequisites
? 
MCGY1009
Corequisites
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Lewis Cornwell, lewis.cornwell@sydney.edu.au
Tutor(s) Marcus Hartstein, marcus.hartstein@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Final exam Final exam
Online examination
50% Formal exam period 2.5 hours
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2
Assignment Written exercises in harmonisation and analysis
Written assessments
50% Multiple weeks 9 x small assessments
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2

Assessment summary

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

The following assessment criteria are used for written work in this unit of study:

  • Appropriate use of the harmonic and analytical vocabulary introduced in current and previous topics;
  • Technically correct notation, chord construction, chord function and voice leading;
  • Awareness of aesthetic principles as discussed in the unit;
  • Identification and imaginative use of less common or more advanced techniques presented in the topic.

For more information see guide to grades.

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.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website  provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.  

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

You may only use artificial intelligence and writing assistance tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator, and if you do use them, you must also acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section.

Studiosity is permitted for postgraduate units unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission.

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.

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 Leading-tone 7th Chords Online class (2 hr) LO1 LO2
Week 02 Sequences with seventh chords and sequences based on root movement by 5th Online class (2 hr) LO1 LO2
Week 03 Secondary dominants Online class (2 hr) LO1 LO2
Week 04 The Neapolitan chord Online class (2 hr) LO1 LO2
Week 05 Imitative counterpoint Online class (2 hr) LO1 LO2
Week 06 Fugue Online class (2 hr) LO1 LO2
Week 07 Fugue continued Online class (2 hr) LO1 LO2
Week 08 Secondary dominants continued Online class (2 hr) LO1 LO2
Week 09 Diatonic modulation Online class (2 hr) LO1 LO2
Week 11 Chorale style Online class (2 hr) LO1 LO2
Week 12 Chorale style continued Online class (2 hr) LO1 LO2
Week 13 Revision Online class (2 hr) LO1 LO2

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 3 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 60-75 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

All readings for this unit can be accessed through the Library eReserve, available on Canvas.

  • Robert Gauldin, Workbook for Harmonic Practice in Tonal Music, 2nd edition (New York: Norton, 2004);
  • Robert Gauldin, Harmonic Practice in Tonal Music, 2nd edition (New York: Norton, 2004) is recommended for further reference.

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. Compose music which includes leading-tone sevenths, tonicisations and modulations, chorale settings with elaborate contrapuntal figuration, and fugal passages.
  • LO2. Identify and explain the use of this vocabulary by analysing examples from the relevant repertoire

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.

In response to student feedback, topics for the opening weeks have been exchanged to produce a more balanced workload.

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.