Outline

Overview

A more advanced exploration of music literacy skills than MUSC1503. The material covered in this unit of study ranges from the broad to the specific: from an examination of musical elements and the way they are used in a variety of musical genres through to specific compositional aspects such as four-part writing. Analysis and compositional craft regarding melody, harmony and rhythm in classical and contemporary popular music are a central focus of this unit of study. Critical listening skills are developed in this unit of study.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit
Credit points	6
Prerequisites ?	None
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	None
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Aidan Rosa, aidan.rosa@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s)	Aidan Rosa, aidan.rosa@sydney.edu.au
Tutor(s)	Simon Polson, simon.polson@sydney.edu.au

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length
Online task	Final quiz Music skills quiz and short written tasks	15%	Formal exam period	ca 2 hours of work
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Musical Analysis Essay or presentation, and, submitted material	15%	Formal exam period	ca 1000 words + score analysis
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Figured bass, chord identification, and non-harmonic notes Two online quizzes based on given scores, opportunity to correct errors	15%	Week 04	n/a
Outcomes assessed:
Online task	Mid-semester aural quiz Online aural quiz via Canvas	10%	Week 06	ca 50 minutes
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Chorale and keyboard style harmonisations Harmonisation of two given melodies in both chorale and keyboard style	15%	Week 06	30 bars of harmonisation
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Musical form and the cycle of fifths Composition using either ritornello or jazz standard form	15%	Week 12	12–16 bars of music writing
Outcomes assessed:
Online task	Weekly auralia tests 10 weekly aural quizzes via Auralia software, commences week 4 onward	10%	Weekly	ca 15 minutes (each)
Outcomes assessed:
Online task	Weekly lecture quizzes 10 weekly lecture quizzes via Canvas, commences week 2 onward	5%	Weekly	ca 15 minutes (each)
Outcomes assessed:

Assessment summary

Figured bass, chord identification, and non-harmonic notes (eLearning online): Two online quizzes assessing knowledge of chords, figured bass and non-harmonic notes.
Chorale and keyboard style harmonisations: Harmonise two given melodies in four parts/voices demonstrating both chorale and keyboard styles.
Musical form and the cycle of fifths: Pastiche composition using either ritornello or jazz standard form.
Musical Analysis: Analyse a given work according to the concepts and parameters discussed in class. Using your analysis as support material, extrapolate or hypothesise how this music functions and/or what makes it noteworthy in either an essay or audio-visual presentation.
Mid-semester aural quiz: In-class test that examines all topics covered during aural tutorials and weekly auralia tests (WATs) upto week 5.
Weekly auralia tests (online): Ongoing tests to be done using the Auralia software available for purchase, which will then be available for you on your device or computer.
Lecture quizzes (eLearning online): Multiple choice questions to be completed immediately after each lecture.
Final quiz (eLearning online): Final comprehensive quiz and music skills assessment in four sections: aural quiz, aural transcriptions, written quiz, and written tasks.

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 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.

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:

As per the University’s Assessment Procedures 2011 policy, Clause 7A, http://sydney.edu.au/policies/showdoc.aspx?recnum=PDOC2012/267&RendNum=0: (1) It is expected that unless an application for Special Consideration has been approved, students will submit all assessment for a unit of study on the due date specified, by 11.59pm. If the assessment is completed or submitted within the period of extension, no academic penalty will be applied to that piece of assessment. (2) If an extension is either not sought, not granted or is granted but work is submitted after the extended due date, the late submission of assessment will result in an academic penalty as follows: A penalty of 5% of the maximum mark will be applied per calendar day the assessment is late. After 10 calendar days, mark of zero is given for that assessment.

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.

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

You may only use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator. If you do use these tools, you must acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section. The assessment instructions or unit outline will give guidance of the types of tools that are permitted and how the tools should be used.

Your final submitted work must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of generative AI tools that have been used in the assessment, and any material that forms part of your submission must be appropriately referenced. For guidance on how to acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the AI in Education Canvas site.

The unapproved use of these tools or unacknowledged use will be considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply.

Studiosity is permitted unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission as detailed on the Learning Hub’s Canvas page.

Outside assessment tasks, generative AI tools may be used to support your learning. The AI in Education Canvas site contains a number of productive ways that students are using AI to improve their learning.

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.

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Week 01	Elements of Music	Online class (1 hr)
Week 02	Chords, Triads, and Non-Harmonic Notes	Online class (1 hr)
Week 02	1. Figured bass, triads; 2. Aural tutes	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 03	Setting Chords to a Melody	Online class (1 hr)
Week 03	1. Non-harmonic notes in figured bass and setting chords to melodies; 2. Aural tutes	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 04	Four-part Harmonisation (Part 1)	Online class (1 hr)
Week 04	1. Principles and workflow of harmonisation and voice leading; 2. Aural tutes	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 05	Four-part Harmonisation (Part 2)	Online class (1 hr)
Week 05	1. Harmonising a melody practise; 2. Aural tutes	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 06	Harmony and Minor Scales	Online class (1 hr)
Week 06	1. Harmonising melodies in minor tonalities; 2. Aural tutes	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 07	Secondary Dominants and the Cycle of Fifths	Online class (1 hr)
Week 07	1. Secondary dominants and cycle of fifths practise; 2. Aural tutes	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 08	Modulations	Online class (1 hr)
Week 08	1. Modulation and four-part harmony practise; 2. Aural tutes	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 09	The Functional Cycle of Fifths	Online class (1 hr)
Week 09	1. Functional cycle of fifths practise (ritornello and jazz standard examples); 2. Aural tute	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 10	Motivic Elements in Music	Online class (1 hr)
Week 10	1. Developing musical ideas practise (ritornello and jazz standard examples); 2. Aural tute	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 11	Musical Analysis (Part 1)	Online class (1 hr)
Week 11	1. Analysis of motives and melodic structure; 2. Aural tute	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 12	Musical Analysis (Part 2)	Online class (1 hr)
Week 12	1. Analysing a score; 2. Aural tute	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 13	1. Content revision - written component; 2. Content revision - aural component	Tutorial (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

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. understand the workings of harmonic vocabulary in western common practice music
LO2. possess a foundational understanding of the harmonic, rhythmic, metric and structural functions of classical and contemporary popular music
LO3. begin to analyse and assess compositional techniques and approaches in existing compositions, and make use of such techniques and approaches in your own work
LO4. present score-based music to an adequate standard using computer music notation software and/or handwriting
LO5. relate music listening to score-based musical communication
LO6. have improved aural skills including rhythm and melodic dictation, sight-singing, conducting and interval/triad recognition and reproduction.

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.

No changes have been made since this unit was last offered

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

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

MUSC1504: Fundamentals of Music 2

Semester 1, 2021 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links