MCGY2611: Semester 2, 2025

Units MCGY2611 Semester 2 2025 [Normal day]

Unit outline_

MCGY2611: Music from the Middle Ages to Baroque

Semester 2, 2025 [Normal day] - Sydney

Overview

This unit explores major topics in the history of Western art music from the 9th century to c. 1750 in a broad historical context. Beginning with Gregorian chant and the invention of music education notation, we investigate a wide range of genres and styles of the Medieval, Renaissance and Baroque eras, as well as innovations including the development of music printing, developments in musical instruments, and the emergence of opera, sonata and concerto. Musical works for analysis and discussion include examples by Hildegard of Bingen, Machaut, Dufay, Josquin, Palestrina, Gesualdo, Monteverdi, Frescobaldi, Corelli, Lully, Purcell, Vivaldi, Handel and J.S. Bach.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit	Analysis, History and Cultural Studies
Credit points	6
Prerequisites ?	None
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	None
Assumed knowledge ?	Ability to read musical notation
Available to study abroad and exchange students	Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Alan Maddox, alan.maddox@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
Written exam ?	End of semester exam Aural and written in-person exam	40%	Formal exam period	2.5 hours	AI prohibited
Outcomes assessed:
Contribution	Preparation and participation in class discussions and tutorial activities Tutorial preparation and participation	15%	Ongoing	–	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Out-of-class quiz	Quiz 1: Medieval Quiz on materials covered in Weeks 1-3.	5%	Week 03 Due date: 22 Aug 2025 at 23:59 Closing date: 22 Aug 2025	20 minutes	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Out-of-class quiz	Quiz 2: Renaissance and early Baroque Quiz on materials studied in Weeks 4-6.	5%	Week 06 Due date: 12 Sep 2025 at 23:59 Closing date: 12 Sep 2025	20 minutes	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Out-of-class quiz	Quiz 3: Mid-Baroque Quiz on material studied in Weeks 7-9.	5%	Week 09 Due date: 10 Oct 2025 at 23:59 Closing date: 10 Oct 2025	20 minutes	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Interactive oral	Oral assessment An individual oral assessment on prepared questions	25%	Week 10	15 minutes	AI prohibited
Outcomes assessed:
Out-of-class quiz	Quiz 4: Late Baroque Quiz on material studied in Weeks 11-13.	5%	Week 13 Due date: 07 Nov 2025 at 23:59 Closing date: 07 Nov 2025	20 minutes	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
= 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

Oral assessment on one of the topics posted on the assessment page of the unit Canvas site.
End of semester exam: includes listening, score reading/analysis, multiple choice and essay questions.
Preparation and participation, in class discussions, and tutorial activities: prepare for tutorials by studying the set works specified for each week and come to tutorials ready to ask informed questions and participate in discussion.
Topic quizzes: Four short online quizzes in weeks 3, 6, 9 and 13.

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

Rubrics for each assessment are provided in Canvas.

For more information see sydney.edu.au/students/guide-to-grades.

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.

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.

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

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Week 01	Chant and the medieval Christian church	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 02	Chant, polyphony & vernacular song: ca.1000–ca.1200	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 03	Secular and sacred: ca.1200 to the early Renaissance	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 04	Renaissance and Reformation	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 05	A Golden Age: secular music in the 16th century.	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 06	A new world: Early baroque Italy and the invention of opera	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 07	Italy and the German lands in the 17th century	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 08	The land of the Sun King: Lully and French music in the Baroque era	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 09	Purcell and the English Baroque	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 10	Special Projects Week: no classes. Book your time for the oral assessment and take time for reading and revision!	Independent study (3 hr)
Week 11	Sonata and concerto: Italian instrumental music in the late baroque.	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 12	Late baroque Italian opera	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 13	J.S. Bach and late baroque sacred music	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)

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.

Required readings

Set texts for this unit are

J.P. Burkholder, D.J. Grout and C.V. Palisca, A History of Western Music, 10th ed. (New York: Norton, 2019)
J.P. Burkholder and C.V. Palisca, Norton Anthology of Western Music, vol. 1, 8th ed. (New York: Norton, 2019)

A History of Western Music is available from the publishers as an e-book, however the Anthology is only available in hard copy, so order yours as early as possible.

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. demonstrate a knowledge of key features of the music of the Medieval, Renaissance, and Baroque periods, including a knowledge of major composers and representative musical works, and an understanding of the role of music and musicians in the society and culture of the periods
LO2. describe and explain the major musical styles, genres and instruments of the periods, and apply relevant analytical methods to the study of this music
LO3. identify important musical styles, genres, and instruments of the periods aurally and from music notation
LO4. think, speak, and write critically about Medieval, Renaissance and Baroque music, and use relevant terminology appropriately.

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.

Assessment formats have been updated to take account of generative AI.

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

Early feedback task

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

Support for students

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

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links