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Unit of study_

MCGY5605: Methods of Music Analysis

Semester 1, 2021 [Normal day] - Remote

This unit is designed to introduce students to the current state of music analysis, and to enable them to develop expertise in analytical methodologies relevant to their research interests. A range of analytical approaches to Western Art Music 1700-1945 will be explored in the seminars, including Formenlehre theories and their recent offshoot, 'deformation' theory; nineteenth-century chromatic harmony and Neo-Riemannian approaches; set-theoretical analyses of post-tonal music; and semiotic or narrative approaches which relate analysis to humanistic inquiries. The focus of the unit will be balanced between theoretical exposition of the principles involved, and practical applications of the various methods to relevant repertoire.

Unit details and rules

Unit code MCGY5605
Academic unit
Credit points 6
Prohibitions
? 
None
Prerequisites
? 
None
Corequisites
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

Traditional chordal nomenclature (e.g. roman numeral and figured bass) and standard methods of analysing Western Art Music will be assumed.

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Gerard Brophy, gerard.brophy@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Assignment Module tasks
Analyse Mvt 2 Divertimento (Bartok) & Mvt. 4 Blue Thread (Brophy)
50% STUVAC 2,000 words equivalent
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Assignment Analysis
Analyse Debussy's Prelude III Bk 1 & Ligeti's Etude 4 Bk 1
50% Week 07 2,000 words equivalent
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4

Assessment summary

  • Essay proposal: This should outline the scope of the proposed
    project and explain the methodologies to be used. The prose description will situate the work in the context of existing scholarship and be accompanied by a bibliography of important sources to consult.
  • Draft essay: This will provide an opportunity for the student to get detailed feedback on both their writing style and their material. The essay may not be totally polished, but all use of others’ materials will be duly acknowledged. The more complete the version submitted, the more useful the feedback will be.
  • Final essay: There will be no detailed comments on this version, just a mark. How well the student responds to the comments on the draft version will be taken into account.
  • Module tasks: The student will submit papers for each of the four modules. This will consist of a piece of prose approximately 800-1,000 words long, with graphs and tables as appropriate. A topic or list of suggested topics will be provided, but the student may choose to work on an independent topic (after consultation with the unit coordinator). These mini-papers are intended to test the student’s competence at ‘doing’ analysis by applying a particular analytical method to a selected work.

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.

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: Course and assessment overview, Twist (193) for solo Bb clarinet (Brophy) Seminar (2 hr)  
Week 02 Piano I: 5 Preludes Op. 74 (Scriabin), Preludes I - VI Book 1 (Debussy), among other works. Seminar (2 hr)  
Week 03 Piano II: Preludes I - VI Book 1 (Debussy) Seminar (2 hr)  
Week 04 Piano III: Gaspard de la Nuit (Ravel), Etudes Op. 33 (Szymanowski) Seminar (2 hr)  
Week 05 Piano IV: Etudes Book 1 (Ligeti) Seminar (2 hr)  
Week 06 Orchestra I : La Mer (Debussy), Prometheus Op. 60 (Scriabin) Seminar (2 hr)  
Week 07 Orchestra II : Five Orchestral Pieces Op. 16 (Schoenberg), Nights in the Gardens of Spain (de Falla) Seminar (2 hr)  
Week 08 Orchestra III: Music for Strings, Percussion and Celesta, Concerto for Orchestra (Bartok) Seminar (2 hr)  
Week 09 Orchestra IV: Music for Strings, Percussion and Celesta (Bartok) Seminar (2 hr)  
Week 10 Orchestra V : Un immagine di Arpocrate (Sciarrino) Seminar (2 hr)  
Week 11 Orchestra VI : Clocks and Clouds (Ligeti), Les Eclairs sur l'au-dela Messiaen), Third Symphony (Copland) Seminar (2 hr)  
Week 12 Ballet: L'Appartement (Mats Ek), Yo yai pakebi, man mai yapobi (Brophy) Seminar (2 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.

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. investigate the ways a number of significant composers mainly, but not exclusively, from Western Art music of the 19th and 20th centuries, have created new modes of musical expression via the development of innovative compositional skills and techniques.
  • LO2. demonstrate enhanced understanding of the genre of Western art music and the ways in which it continues to be composed today.
  • LO3. use analysis alongside other types of musical and humanistic scholarship
  • LO4. contribute actively to the learning of others through peer interactions in class.

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.

NO INFORMATION ENTERED HERE YET

Disclaimer

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