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Unit of study_

MUED3603: Composition in Music Education

Semester 1, 2024 [Normal day] - Sydney

This unit of study will examine the teaching and learning of composition in schools with a models-based pedagogy. Through the completion of small-scale arranging and composition exercises students will develop strategies to successfully integrate composition into their teaching and experience ways in which composition can be seen as a site of music learning. Students will survey sampling, sequencing and notation software, develop skills in software evaluation suitable for composition, and discuss how technology can enhance the teaching and learning of composition. Strategies for assessing composition work will be considered.

Unit details and rules

Unit code MUED3603
Academic unit Music Education
Credit points 3
Prohibitions
? 
None
Prerequisites
? 
None
Corequisites
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

No

Teaching staff

Coordinator Jim Coyle, jim.coyle@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s) Jim Coyle, jim.coyle@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Assignment Program content that scaffolds composition for students
Program content that scaffolds composition for students (20%)
20% STUVAC
Due date: 30 May 2024 at 23:59
1000 words
Outcomes assessed: LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Assignment Compose and record an original piece for violin and piano that meets the criteria for the core composition for Music 2 HSC (50%)
Composition that is worked on in-class and at home.
50% Week 06
Due date: 28 Mar 2024 at 23:59
2000 words equivalent
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Assignment Arrange a piece of your own choice for classroom ensemble using studied pedagogies (30%)
Arrangement
30% Week 12
Due date: 16 May 2024 at 23:59
1000 words equivalent
Outcomes assessed: LO2 LO3

Assessment summary

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

Result name Mark range Description
High distinction 85 - 100 Work of exceptional standard
Distinction 75 - 84 Work of superior standard
Credit 65 - 74 Highly competent work demonstrating potential for higher study
Pass 50 - 64 Work of acceptable standard
Fail 0 - 49 Work not of acceptable standard

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.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy 2023 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 2023. 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

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 Composition in HSC Music 2 and Extension Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO4
Week 02 Composition in HSC Music 1 and songwriting in stage 4 and stage 5 Lecture (2 hr) LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Week 03 Compositions in progress – masterclass Workshop (2 hr) LO2 LO3 LO4 LO7
Week 04 Compositions in progress – masterclass with musicians Workshop (2 hr) LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 05 Stage 6 composing (all courses) and assessment. Lecture (2 hr) LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Week 06 Recording of compositions Performance (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 07 Teaching composition in an individual tutorial Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO6
Week 08 Composing in Stage 4 Lecture (2 hr) LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 09 Stage 4 and 5 composition – activities and resources Lecture (2 hr) LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 11 Composing in stage 5 Lecture (2 hr) LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 12 Mixed bag arranging – pedagogical approaches Lecture (2 hr) LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 13 Mixed bag arranging – poly-technicality focus Lecture (2 hr) LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5

Attendance and class requirements

  • Attendance: Please click on below link to find more information on attendance requirements, as per the Sydney Conservatorium of Music resolutions - http://sydney.edu.au/handbooks/conservatorium/rules/faculty_resolutions.shtml (Item 12).

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 on the Library eReserve link available in the Canvas site for this unit.

  • Humberstone, J. (2014). Why Music Education should lead all education in the 21st century. Music Australia. (https://musicaustralia.org.au/2014/11/why-music-education-should- lead-all-education-in-the-21st-century/, accessed 15th December 2014).
  • Madsen, J. and Clark, P. (2014). Grandma's garden. Waverley NSW: Jam on Toast Production.
  • Philpott, C., and Humberstone, J. (2016). The Glitter Gang (1973–74): A Microcosm of Malcolm Williamson’s Views on Social Inclusivity and His Australian Identity. Musicology Australia, 38(1), 1-28. doi:10.1080/08145857.2016.1159648.

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. understand the nature of the creative musical process and how that process may be taught
  • LO2. understand and gain insight into strategies to teach composition by composing yourself
  • LO3. acquire an analytical perspective of the composition process, compose your own short works and apply this knowledge to the teaching of composition
  • LO4. obtain skills to instigate creative processes, supervise technical development and assist with the presentation of notated original compositions
  • LO5. develop assessment strategies appropriate to courses in the secondary music curriculum
  • LO6. explore different types of composition assessments
  • LO7. understand issues of assessing composition as part of your music pedagogy.

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.

The order of activities and assessments has been altered, partly in response to student feedback.

We will swap content and weeks around if Covid or other unforseen problems mean we cannot engage the necessary expertise and work together face to face on the weeks outlined.

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.