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Unit of study_

MCGY2621: Exploring Ethnomusicology

Semester 2, 2022 [Normal day] - Remote

Ethnomusicology refers to the study of all musical genres worldwide within their respective social and cultural contexts, and is sometimes also known as the anthropology of music or cultural musicology. This unit introduces and explores some of the most important ideas that have informed the thinking of researchers working in this field - such as the connections between music and gender, social structures, forms of capital, politics, identity, health and the environment. The course also interrogates notions of the nature and experience of music, why musical genres differ and why music has such important but diverse significance worldwide. The course includes several lectures given by expert practitioners from particular musical traditions (such as Indigenous Australian music and Korean drumming), and it directly complements courses on ethnomusicological fieldwork methods. It does not require prior formal musical training.

Unit details and rules

Unit code MCGY2621
Academic unit
Credit points 6
Prohibitions
? 
None
Prerequisites
? 
MCGY1030
Corequisites
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Catherine Ingram, catherine.ingram@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Assignment Major essay
Written assessment or video essay
50% Formal exam period
Due date: 25 Nov 2022 at 23:59
3000 words or 6-7 minute video essay
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Participation Class participation
Participation
30% Ongoing n/a
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2
Assignment Critical review of an ethnographic monograph in ethnomusicology
Written assessment
20% Week 08
Due date: 23 Sep 2022 at 23:59
1500 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2

Assessment summary

  • Critical review of an ethnographic monograph in ethnomusicology (20%): Select and read, in full, a musical ethnography (a list of suggested ethnographies will be provided in class), and prepare a critical review/report on this monograph-length ethnographic text.
  • Class participation (30%): Assessment of participation has 3 components. (1) Active, well-prepared participation in weekly activities and discussions (10%); (2) Successful participation in at least one class debate (10%). (3) Successful completion of two short quizzes (achieving 80% or higher, up to 3 attempts): one in week 5 (drawing on weeks 1-4) and one in week 10 (drawing on weeks 5-9) (10%).
  • Major essay (50%): Essay on a set topic relating to the themes of the course. Essay questions will be provided during the semester. This assessment may be presented as a written essay or 6-7 minute video essay.

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:

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.

Oral presentations will be assessed against the following criteria:

Content

  • Shows evidence of broad research, taking into account a variety of sources
  • Clear argument, supported by relevant reasons and evidence
  • Uses terminology accurately and appropriately
  • Shows evidence of critical thinking about the topic, including:
    • Considers alternative views
    • Where appropriate, questions assumptions implicit in the literature
    • Draws meaningful connections between facts and/or concepts

 

Presentation

  • Is clearly expressed
  • Is interesting and engages other students
  • Makes appropriate use of examples and presentation methods relevant to the material presented (e.g. presentation software, handouts, recordings where relevant)
  • Covers the topic effectively in the available time

 

 

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

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 Introduction to the unit, and "Decolonizing Ethnomusicology" Lecture and tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 02 Key concepts in ethnomusicology Lecture and tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 03 Music, place and the environment Lecture and tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 04 Ethnomusicology, musical performance and ‘intermusability’ Lecture and tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 05 Ethnomusicology and migration Lecture and tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 06 Recording and archiving Lecture and tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 07 The body and ecomusicology Lecture and tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 08 Analysing music and gender Lecture and tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 09 Musical traditions, globalisation and authenticity Lecture and tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 11 Music and ritual Lecture and tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 12 Music and language Lecture and tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 13 Applied ethnomusicology Lecture and tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5

Attendance and class requirements

Class participation forms a substantial part of the mark for this unit and students are strongly encouraged to attend every class.

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. define ethnomusicology and identify major issues in the discipline
  • LO2. describe some of the different ways that music is structured and used in different cultures
  • LO3. identify the many different ways that music-making is significant to human kind
  • LO4. understand and appreciate previously unfamiliar musical forms and cultures
  • LO5. demonstrate familiarity with a range of ways in which music may be recorded and analysed (whether through writing, symbols, or audio-visual means).

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.

Some changes have been made since the unit was last run. 1. The requirements for class participation have been altered slightly to enhance student learning.

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.

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