Outline

Overview

This unit will survey the main lines of musical development between 1750 and 1890, with primary focus on the composition of music, and how this relates to the social and aesthetic currents of the time. The overview given in the lecture series will be reinforced by detailed focus on individual works in the tutorials from both historical and analytical perspectives. Topics will include the emergence and codification of classical form and syntax; style and genre in the works of the first Viennese School; Beethoven's 'heroic' and 'late' styles; national opera traditions; symphonic poem and music drama; nationalism and exoticism; and the conflict between progress and tradition.

Unit details and rules

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

Teaching staff

Coordinator	David Larkin, david.larkin@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s)	David Larkin, david.larkin@sydney.edu.au
Tutor(s)	Zoltan Szabo, zoltan.szabo@sydney.edu.au
Tutor(s)	Nicholas Kennedy, nicholas.kennedy@sydney.edu.au

Assessment

The census date for this unit availability is 31 March 2025

Details
Criteria

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length
Supervised exam ?	Final exam Written examination	30%	Formal exam period	2 hours
Outcomes assessed:
Small test	Mini quizzes Online test	15%	Multiple weeks	18 mins each
Outcomes assessed:
Online task	Early Feedback Task Canvas quiz #earlyfeedbacktask	0%	Week 02 Due date: 07 Mar 2025 at 23:59	18 mins
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Tutorial assignment Written assessment or video recording	15%	Week 07 Due date: 13 Apr 2025 at 23:59	800 words / 7 minutes
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Essay Written assessment	30%	Week 13 Due date: 01 Jun 2025 at 23:59	1700-2000 words
Outcomes assessed:
Participation	Tutorial participation Participation	10%	Weekly	Weekly involvement
Outcomes assessed:
= hurdle task ? = AI allowed ? = 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

Essay: Students will be required to write one essay of between 1,700 and 2,000 words on one of a number of proposed essay topics. Students may wish to discuss the choice of essay question and the resources needed with their tutors.

Tutorial assignment: Students will be required to find two academic texts relating to a musical work of their own choosing and then either to write an 800-word reflection on how these texts have enhanced their understanding and appreciation of the work; or submit a 6–8 minute video exploring how these two scholarly texts have influenced their understanding and appreciation of their chosen work.

Tutorial participation: Students are expected to have listened to the set work with the score before each tutorial, and to contribute actively to tutorial discussion by preparing answers to the Tutorial Questions on the set work (these will be made available on the unit website at least a week in advance of class).

Early Feedback Task: In week two, students will undertake a short canvas quiz testing the materials covered in lectures and tutorials in the first two weeks of the semester. This is a formative assignment, and so the score will not count towards the final mark in this subject, but will allow students the chance to assess where they are in this subject.

Mini quizzes: Five short online quizzes will test key definitions, and retention of important information imparted in the lectures, tutorials and assigned readings. There will also be short listening-based and score-based questions based on the set works for the weeks in question.

Final exam: There will be a final two-hour exam for this unit in June. The exam will involve the following:

Identification of set work excerpts, both through sound clips and through score excerpts
Analysis of one of the shorter set works from a shortlist provided beforehand.
Definitions of key terms
Short essay questions about one or more of the set works, or about specific stylistic or historiographic issues raised in this unit of study.

Further information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

The questions on the mini-quizzes are mostly factual rather than evaluative in nature.

The tutorial participation mark will be based on a student’s attendance and involvement in class discussion over the course of the semester. The emphasis will be on the quality rather than necessarily the quantity of comments.

The final exam will be graded according to the relevance and accuracy of the information supplied, with the quality of written expression of lesser importance.

The essay and tutorial assignment will be marked according to the SCM academic grade descriptors, which are as follows:

Result name	Mark range	Description
High distinction	85 - 100	Demonstrates high level of initiative in research and reading; sophisticated critical analysis of evidence; high level engagement with theoretical issues, innovative use of reading/research material and impressive command of underlying debates and assumptions; properly documented and written with style, originality and precision.
Distinction	75 - 84	Demonstrates initiative in research and wide, appropriate reading; complex understanding of question and ability to critically review material in relation to underlying assumptions and values; analyses material in relation to empirical and theoretical contexts; properly documented; clear, well-developed structure and argument with some signs of literary style.
Credit	65 - 74	Evidence of broader understanding than pass level; offers synthesis with some critical evaluation of material; coherent argument using a range of relevant evidence; some evidence of independent thought, good referencing. A high credit (70-74) shows some evidence of ability to problematise and think conceptually.
Pass	50 - 64	Written work meets basic requirements in terms of reading/research; relevant material; tendency to descriptive summary rather than critical argument; makes a reasonable attempt to avoid paraphrasing; reasonably coherent structure; often has weaknesses in particular areas, especially in terms of narrow or underdeveloped treatment of question; acceptable documentation.
Fail	0 - 49	Work may fail for any or all of the following reasons: Unacceptable paraphrasing; irrelevance of content; poor spelling; poor presentation; grammar or structure so sloppy it cannot be understood; failure to demonstrate understanding of content; insufficient or overlong word length.

For more information see guide to grades.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

Except for supervised exams or in-semester tests, you may use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessments unless expressly prohibited by your unit coordinator.

For exams and in-semester tests, the use of AI and automated writing tools is not allowed unless expressly permitted in the assessment instructions.

The icons in the assessment table above indicate whether AI is allowed – whether full AI, or only some AI (the latter is referred to as “AI restricted”). If no icon is shown, AI use is not permitted at all for the task. Refer to Canvas for full instructions on assessment tasks for this unit.

Your final submission must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of automated writing tools or generative AI, and any material generated that you include in your final submission must be properly referenced. You may be required to submit generative AI inputs and outputs that you used during your assessment process, or drafts of your original work. Inappropriate use of generative AI is considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply.

The Current Students website provides information on artificial intelligence in assessments. For help on how to correctly acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the  AI in Education Canvas site.

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:

For every calendar day up to and including ten calendar days after the due date, a penalty of 5% of the maximum awardable marks will be applied to late work, unless an extension has been sought and granted in writing.

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.

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	Towards the classical style	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 02	Haydn: servitude and mastery	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 03	Mozart: classical perfection	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 04	Operatic currents in the late eighteenth century	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 05	Beethoven: the heroic style and alternatives	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 06	At the boundaries: late Beethoven and Schubert	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 07	Romantic ideas: music, nature and the other arts	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 08	Paris 1824-1848: fantasy and spectacle	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 09	Bel canto and the Italian stage	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 11	The New Germans: symphonic poem and music drama	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 12	Nationalist and exotic voices	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 13	Tradition, religion and musical holy wars	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

(1) Students are required to be in attendance at the correct time and place of any formal or informal examinations. Non-attendance on any grounds insufficient to claim special consideration will result in the forfeiture of marks associated with the assessment. Participation in a minimum number of assessment items may be included in the requirements specified for a unit of study.

(2) 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 faculty member most concerned. The Dean, Head of School or faculty member 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%.

(3) In addition to the rule above, full (100%) and punctual attendance is a requirement in all activities where students have a role as active participants in the class or activity. Active participation includes situations where the student’s contribution is to perform, rehearse or direct rehearsals in a small or large ensemble, or to give seminar and tutorial papers or presentations or undertake assessment tasks. Active participation also includes all one-to-one studio teaching and supervision. Except in cases of illness or misadventure, failure to attend activities or classes where a student is an active participant will be seen as failure to meet the requirements of the unit of study.

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

The set text for this unit of study is:

Burkholder, J. Peter, Donald J Grout and Claude V. Palisca. A History of Western Music. 10th edition. New York: Norton, 2019 (the 9th edition (2014) is also acceptable)

The sections from this text assigned for weekly reading are indicated on Canvas

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. describe the main lines of musical development between 1750 and 1890
LO2. recognise and analyse a number of highly significant musical works from the classical and romantic eras
LO3. show awareness of various critical paradigms which have openly or covertly shaped music historiography and criticism
LO4. trace links between music and the other arts, philosophy and the history of ideas
LO5. display best practices in scholarly research and conventions governing academic writing
LO6. engage respectfully but critically with the views of others

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.

Four tutorial works have changed. In response to student requests, there is now at least a two-day gap between lecture and tutorials to allow more time to prepare for the latter. The assessment structure has been revised to include an Early Feedback Task, and allow for video submission of the tutorial assignment.

Additional information

More information can be found on Canvas

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) and automated writing tools

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

Additional information

Additional information

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect

Current students

MCGY2612: Music in the Classical and Romantic Eras

Semester 1, 2025 [Normal day] - Sydney

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Early feedback task

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

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

Additional information

Additional information

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect