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Unit of study_

PERF2602: Music Project 3D

Semester 1, 2023 [Normal day] - Sydney

Students enrolled in this unit will complete a music performance, research or seminar project. Projects to be undertaken within this unit will be recommended and approved by the relevant unit coordintor.

Unit details and rules

Unit code PERF2602
Academic unit
Credit points 6
Prohibitions
? 
None
Prerequisites
? 
None
Corequisites
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

No

Teaching staff

Coordinator Paul McDermott, p.mcdermott@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s) Paul McDermott, p.mcdermott@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Small continuous assessment In-class Lecture & Tutorial Participation and Weekly Tasks
Prepare for weekly quizzes and tutorial activities
20% Multiple weeks
Due date: 20 Feb 2023 at 11:32

Closing date: 26 May 2023
n/a
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2
Assignment First short EDM demo
Submit a short demo (2mins) in a chosen EDM genre with listening notes
10% Week 04
Due date: 19 Mar 2023 at 23:59
2 minutes, 500 words
Outcomes assessed: LO3 LO4 LO5 LO2
Assignment Critical Listening Log
Choose a song from provided list and critically analyse its sounds and form
25% Week 06
Due date: 02 Apr 2023 at 23:59
700 words
Outcomes assessed: LO2 LO4 LO5
Assignment Second short EDM demo
Submit a short demo (2 mins) in a chosen EDM genre with listening notes
10% Week 09
Due date: 30 Apr 2023 at 23:59
2 mins
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Assignment Completed EDM remix
Submit one completed EDM remix incorporating a provided acapella
35% Week 13
Due date: 28 May 2023 at 23:59
5-6 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5

Assessment summary

- In-class Lecture & Tutorial Participation and weekly tasks: students will be marked on their preparation and participation in classes over the course of the semester, including pre-lecture listening and quizzes.

-First short EDM demo: students will chose an EDM genre and individually compose a short demo (2mins) to submit with listening notes. The demo should maintain listener/dancer interest in the style of the chosen genre 

- Critical Listening Log: students will submit a written analysis of one EDM track (700 words) detailing sounds, production techniques and arrangement styles incontext of the chosen genre

- Second Short EDM demo: students will chose an EDM genre (different to the first short demo) and individually compose a short demo (2mins) to submit with listening notes. The demo should maintain listener/dancer interest in the style of the chosen genre 

- Completed EDM remix: students will compose a completed EDM remix in an EDM style of their own choosing. They will successfully incorporate a provided acapella and use this as the focus of the remix 

Assessment criteria

The following assessment criteria are used for performance work in this unit of study:

Result name

Mark range

Description

High distinction

85 - 100

Comprehensive and outstanding technical control and musical integrity in relation to developmental expectations. Musical individuality consistently projected to create a persuasive personal representation of the work. Performance flair indicative of soloist standard. A mark of 95 or above indicates extraordinary technical virtuosity and musical artistry.

Distinction

75 - 84

Excellent technical, musical and stylistic achievement. Consistently coherent and expressive performance. Some personal interpretation of the work suggesting soloist potential. 

Credit

65 - 74

Confident technique with evidence of solid musicality and some stylistic achievement. Occasional lapses indicative of unresolved technical, artistic and/or stylistic issues. Projects potential for further development.

Pass

50 - 64

Satisfactory level of preparation and musical engagement. Some inconsistencies in musicianship, style and/or technique. Musical imagination and overall performance sense developing though some insecurity in this area.

Fail

0 - 49

Unsatisfactory technical achievement and/or unsatisfactory level of musical and artistic engagement. Limitations may be of such a scale and consistency as to call into question the student’s future direction in the programme.

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.

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% off for every day late. After 10 days late students will receive a zero mark

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 From disco to post-disco Lecture (1 hr) LO2 LO4 LO5
Four-on-the-rhythms, baselines, feel, and FX Tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 02 The electronic pioneers - From Kraftwerk to Detroit Lecture (1 hr) LO2 LO4 LO5
Synth settings, melodic modes, drum machines and vocal transformations Tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 03 Acid house, Detroit techno and NY Garage Lecture (1 hr) LO2 LO4 LO5
Create a an acid/techno/garage track Tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 04 From the underground to mainstream: Rave, Trance and anthems Lecture (1 hr) LO2 LO4 LO5
Feedback on tracks before submission Tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 05 From hardcore to chill out: making EDM for a dedicated setting. Noisy versus deep! Lecture (1 hr) LO2 LO4 LO5
Creating a track for a specific listener/dancer setting Tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 06 Repetition and trance: going nowhere without getting boring Lecture (1 hr) LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Modulation, mesmerism, and arrangement techniques Tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 07 Music for the Mainroom: going big! Lecture (1 hr) LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Epic harmonic progressions, powerful sound design, and listener/dancer expectations Tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 08 Deep house and minimal tech: shifting focus from harmonic/melodic to texture and grain Lecture (1 hr) LO2 LO4 LO5
Innovative sound design and percussion programming Tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 09 Creative approaches to remixing: working with acapellas Lecture (1 hr) LO2 LO4 LO5
Acapella analysis, genre selection and effective creative choices Tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 10 SPECIAL PROJECTS WEEK - NO LECTURE Lecture (1 hr)  
SPECIAL PROJECTS WEEK - NO TUTORIAL Tutorial (2 hr)  
Week 11 From UK Dubstep to US Brotech: peak EDM (2008-2014) and its influence on pop Lecture (1 hr) LO2 LO4 LO5
Planning your remix assignment Tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 12 Finding your way to the future: unique new directions and "authentic" revisions Lecture (1 hr) LO3 LO4 LO5
Feedback and continue working on Completed Remix assignment Tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 13 Australian EDM history: from Severed Heads to Flume Lecture (1 hr) LO2 LO4 LO5
Mixing and mastering: preparing to submit your final assignment Tutorial (2 hr) LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5

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.

Required readings

All readings for this unit can be accessed on the Library eReserve link available on Canvas.

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. work in collaborative environments
  • LO2. demonstrate a knowledge of EDM genres and their sonic characteristics
  • LO3. incorporate and expand on EDM knowledge by using it in creative works
  • LO4. understand appropriate technical and production practices
  • LO5. understand professional industry expectations

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

More information can be found on Canvas.

Additional costs

There are no additional costs for this unit.

Site visit guidelines

There are no site visit guidelines for this unit.

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.