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Unit of study_

VSAO3014: Pedagogy Voice 1

Semester 1, 2021 [Normal day] - Sydney

This unit aims to promote awareness of the main elements of teaching and learning the functional aspects of singing. It examines ways of learning about singing and provides a basis for learning about the physiology and acoustics of the singing voice, approaches to posture, breathing, phonation (onset, pitch, range/register, dynamic controls, vibrato), resonance, articulation and voice quality. Assessment includes micro-teaching modules, readings, round table discussions, comparative reports and written tests. On completion of this unit, students will have knowledge and experience of the bases of physiology and acoustics of voice, and of a variety of approaches to singing and teaching.

Unit details and rules

Unit code VSAO3014
Academic unit
Credit points 3
Prohibitions
? 
None
Prerequisites
? 
None
Corequisites
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Rowena Cowley, rowena.cowley@sydney.edu.au
Tutor(s) Rowena Cowley, rowena.cowley@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Participation hurdle task Formative Assessment
In-class discussion of Weeks 1, 2 lectures and readings
0% Week 03
Due date: 16 Feb 2021 at 13:00

Closing date: 16 Feb 2021
20 mins
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO6 LO2
Presentation group assignment Teaching voice to performers
Group choice of aspect/s of teaching voice performance
20% Week 11
Due date: 18 May 2021 at 13:00

Closing date: 18 May 2021
20 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Assignment Presentation report
Individual written report on contribution to oral presentation
20% Week 12
Due date: 18 May 2020 at 23:59

Closing date: 15 Jun 2020
500-600 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Online task Open book test
Open book test on materials in week 4 to week 8 lectures
60% Week 13
Due date: 01 Jun 2021 at 13:00

Closing date: 01 Jun 2021
1 hour
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO6 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2
hurdle task = hurdle task ?
group assignment = group assignment ?

Assessment summary

  • Formative assessment: In-class discussion of Weeks 1, 2 lectures and readings.
  • Presentation: With partners from the class, prepare and present a 15 minute, research-based presentation on an aspect of one of the topics we have discussed in lectures, followed by 5 minutes of questions from the class. You may also choose a different topic related to the pedagogy of singing.
  • Report: Document your individual contribution to the presentation in a 500-600 word report, with citations of sources in either APA or Chicago style. Your contribution is usually a sub-section of the topic chosen for presentation, but you may also choose to write on another topic of your choice. Submit through Turnitin.
  • Online open-book test: This test will ask mostly short answer questions relating to topics covered in weeks 4-8. 

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 What is vocal pedagogy? Online class (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO6
Week 02 Mind and body Online class (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO6
Week 03 Communication and learning Online class (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO6
Week 04 Posture and breathing Online class (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 05 Posture and breathing Online class (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO6
Week 06 Phonation Online class (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO6
Week 07 Registration and vibrato Online class (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO6
Week 08 Resonance, articulation and voice quality Online class (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 09 Health, motivation and artistry Online class (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO6
Week 11 Micro-teaching modules Online class (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO5 LO6
Week 12 Micro-teaching modules Online class (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO5 LO6
Week 13 Online open-book test Online class (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6

Attendance and class requirements

  • Lecture recording: Lectures for this unit of study will be recorded and made available to students via the Learning Management System (LMS) 
  • 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 3 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 60-75 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. understand the bases of the physiology of learning and memory as it relates to singing
  • LO2. recognise and apply these approaches in your own work
  • LO3. understand major elements of the physiology of posture and breathing, and the physiology and acoustics of phonation, resonance and articulation
  • LO4. demonstrate and explain simple elements of posture, breathing, phonation and resonance and express these elements in written form
  • LO5. show evidence of informed critical thinking about singing/teaching through presentation on a topic of your choice
  • LO6. show evidence of self-reflection on aspects of teaching and singing.

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 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.

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