Outline

Overview

This unit aims to use case studies of existing music theatre works to analyse method, structure, dramatic goals, and design elements as they relate to the book/script and lyrics. Each week builds progressively on the next, as a means of mastery learning. This progression is reflected through weekly formative assessment tasks which culminate in small teams of students writing and performing a 10 to 15-minute section of musical based on a single story chosen by the cohort. Students will be guided to connect their sections to form a full-length work of music theatre.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit	Analysis, History and Cultural Studies
Credit points	6
Prerequisites ?	None
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	None
Assumed knowledge ?	This course is open to any students in the 2nd year or above of their degree
Available to study abroad and exchange students	Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Narelle Yeo, narelle.yeo@sydney.edu.au

Assessment

The census date for this unit availability is 31 March 2026

Details
Criteria

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length	Use of AI
Out-of-class quiz	Early Feedback Task - Quiz Canvas quiz #earlyfeedbacktask	0%	Week 03	10 mins	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Creative work	Setting lyrics to music Upload 2 audio files to Canvas and reflective statement	30%	Week 04 Due date: 09 Mar 2026 at 23:59 Closing date: 16 Feb 2026	2 songs and 150 word reflection	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Portfolio or journal	Formative portfolio of work part 1 (individual) Portfolio of individual work completed on canvas.	20%	Week 07 Due date: 13 Apr 2026 at 23:59 Closing date: 20 Apr 2026	3-4 pages or 1200 words	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Portfolio or journal	Formative portfolio of work part 2 (group) Submitted tutorial activities in Canvas.	20%	Week 12 Due date: 18 May 2026 at 23:59 Closing date: 25 May 2026	N/A	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
In-person practical, skills, or performance task or test	Final Project - The musical (group) Performance of mini musical in class	30%	Week 13	N/A	AI prohibited
Outcomes assessed:
= group assignment ? = early feedback task ?

Assessment summary

1. a. In class activities represented in a formative portfolio of work across the semester

1. b. Reflective journal based on in class tasks

2. Group presentation

3. Set lyrics to music

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name	Mark range	Description
High distinction	85 - 100	Superior lyric, book and narrative creative writing, comprehension of content and ability to communicate conventions of book, lyric, narrative writing in musicals
Distinction	75 - 84	High standard of lyric, book and narrative creative writing, comprehension of content and ability to communicate conventions of book, lyric, narrative writing in musicals
Credit	65 - 74	Good evidence of effective lyric, book and narrative creative writing, comprehension of content and ability to communicate conventions of book, lyric, narrative writing in musicals
Pass	50 - 64	Satisfactory application of lyric, book and narrative creative writing, comprehension of content and ability to communicate conventions of book, lyric, narrative writing in musicals
Fail	0 - 49	Did not participate or complete assignment tasks to the required standard, did not meet 90% attendance policy

For more information see guide to grades.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

You can use generative AI tools for open assessments. Restrictions on AI use apply to secure, supervised assessments used to confirm if students have met specific learning outcomes.

Refer to the assessment table above to see if AI is allowed, for assessments in this unit and check Canvas for full instructions on assessment tasks and AI use.

If you use AI, you must always acknowledge it. Misusing AI may lead to a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

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:

5% per day

Academic integrity

The University expects students to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

Our website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. This includes advice on how to avoid common breaches of academic integrity. Ensure that you have completed the Academic Honesty Education Module (AHEM) which is mandatory for all commencing coursework students

Penalties for serious breaches can significantly impact your studies and your career after graduation. It is important that you speak with your unit coordinator if you need help with completing assessments.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

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	Learning outcomes
Weekly	Weekly lecture on technique and context	Lecture (12 hr)
Weekly	2 hour tutorial/workshop - creating material for assessment and check-ins.	Tutorial (24 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

* Students must attend 90% of timetabled classes

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. Collaborate to create a text/lyric/book/script for a work of music theatre.
LO2. Effectively research source material in original form or adaptation to develop this idea into a realised product.
LO3. Demonstrate historical understanding of the book, script, and lyric in music theatre.
LO4. Apply this knowledge to building narrative structure.
LO5. Demonstrate historical and contemporary knowledge and understanding of the particular construction of lyrics in music.
LO6. Demonstrate understanding of compositional rules and tropes (rhyming patterns, structure etc.) for music theatre.
LO7. Demonstrate an understanding of the collaborative process in writing music theatre: method, structure, and goals.
LO8. Students are able to articulate and reflect critically on their creative process.

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.

First time this unit has run

Disclaimer

Important: the University of Sydney regularly reviews units of study and reserves the right to change the units of study available annually. To stay up to date on available study options, including unit of study details and availability, refer to the relevant handbook.

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

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

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

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

MUSC3675: Writing Music Theatre: Book and Lyrics

Semester 1, 2026 [Normal day] - Sydney

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

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

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links