MUSONIC 1010 - Sound & Media

North Terrace Campus - Semester 2 - 2024

This course focuses on the following content: (1) the use of sound in the media, with attention to film, television, games; (2) the concepts of montage and collage and their application to sound for media; (3) media and sound editing concepts and techniques; (4) detailed scene analysis of examples from films, television, games; (5) psychological and aesthetic aspects of sound in media; (6) the role of sound in the construction of the media; (7) technological basis of sound in the media; (8) historical development of sound in the media.

  • General Course Information
    Course Details
    Course Code MUSONIC 1010
    Course Sound & Media
    Coordinating Unit Elder Conservatorium of Music
    Term Semester 2
    Level Undergraduate
    Location/s North Terrace Campus
    Units 3
    Contact Up to 3 hours per week
    Available for Study Abroad and Exchange Y
    Incompatible GENMUS 1014
    Assessment Exam 1 25%, Essay (1500 words) 30%, Exam 2 45%
    Course Staff

    Course Coordinator: Mr Stephen Whittington

    Course Timetable

    The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from Course Planner.

  • Learning Outcomes
    Course Learning Outcomes
    The objectives of this course are to develop:

    1. an understanding the role of sound in film, television, games and contemporary arts

    2. skills in the analysis of form, structure and content in the media

    3. knowledge of the history and development of sound as a component of the media

    4. familiarity with the vocabulary of media production and analysis

    5. critical listening skills and their application to media contexts

    University Graduate Attributes

    This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:

    University Graduate Attribute Course Learning Outcome(s)

    Attribute 1: Deep discipline knowledge and intellectual breadth

    Graduates have comprehensive knowledge and understanding of their subject area, the ability to engage with different traditions of thought, and the ability to apply their knowledge in practice including in multi-disciplinary or multi-professional contexts.

    1,2,3

    Attribute 2: Creative and critical thinking, and problem solving

    Graduates are effective problems-solvers, able to apply critical, creative and evidence-based thinking to conceive innovative responses to future challenges.

    2,5

    Attribute 3: Teamwork and communication skills

    Graduates convey ideas and information effectively to a range of audiences for a variety of purposes and contribute in a positive and collaborative manner to achieving common goals.

    4

    Attribute 4: Professionalism and leadership readiness

    Graduates engage in professional behaviour and have the potential to be entrepreneurial and take leadership roles in their chosen occupations or careers and communities.

    .

    Attribute 5: Intercultural and ethical competency

    Graduates are responsible and effective global citizens whose personal values and practices are consistent with their roles as responsible members of society.

    1,3

    Attribute 6: Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural competency

    Graduates have an understanding of, and respect for, Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander values, culture and knowledge.

    .

    Attribute 7: Digital capabilities

    Graduates are well prepared for living, learning and working in a digital society.

    .

    Attribute 8: Self-awareness and emotional intelligence

    Graduates are self-aware and reflective; they are flexible and resilient and have the capacity to accept and give constructive feedback; they act with integrity and take responsibility for their actions.

    5
  • Learning Resources
    Required Resources
    None.
    Online Learning
    Selected weekly readings are available on myUni. Links to videos and other online resources are also provided.
  • Learning & Teaching Activities
    Learning & Teaching Modes
    2 hours lecture per week, plus additional online course material.
    Workload

    The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.

    Students are expected to view online course material (1 hour per week), and reas online course readings (up to 5 hours per week.)
    Learning Activities Summary
    This course will focus on the following content:

    (1)    the use of sound in the media, with particular attention to film, games and television;

    (2)    the concepts of montage and collage and their application to sound, music, film and image;

    (3)    film and sound editing concepts and techniques;

    (4)    detailed scene analysis of examples from classic movies;

    (5)    psychological and aestheticaspects of sound in media;  

    (6)    the role of sound in the construction of media reality;

    (7)    the technological basis of sound in the media.

  • Assessment

    The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:

    1. Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
    2. Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
    3. Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
    4. Assessment must maintain academic standards.

    Assessment Summary
    On-line test (10%)
    Essay (50%)
    Assessment 2 (40%)
    Assessment Detail
    On-line test (10%) : Available on MyUni in Week 4: Multiple choice and short answer questions
    Course Objectives: (1), (2), (3)

    Essay (50%): 1500 word essay on the use of sound in a selected film.
    Course Objectives: (2), (3), (4), (5)

    Assessment 2 (40%): Assessment involving short answer questions (150 -300 words each) that may involve analysis of an audiovisual scene, historical and theoretical topics, and test knowledge of material in this course.
    Course Objectives (1), (3), (5)
    Submission
    All assessable work (essays and tests) are to be submitted online. The final assessment will be available online in Week 13..
    Course Grading

    Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:

    M10 (Coursework Mark Scheme)
    Grade Mark Description
    FNS   Fail No Submission
    F 1-49 Fail
    P 50-64 Pass
    C 65-74 Credit
    D 75-84 Distinction
    HD 85-100 High Distinction
    CN   Continuing
    NFE   No Formal Examination
    RP   Result Pending

    Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.

    Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.

    Final results for this course will be made available through Access Adelaide.

  • Student Feedback

    The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.

    SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.

  • Student Support
  • Policies & Guidelines
  • Fraud Awareness

    Students are reminded that in order to maintain the academic integrity of all programs and courses, the university has a zero-tolerance approach to students offering money or significant value goods or services to any staff member who is involved in their teaching or assessment. Students offering lecturers or tutors or professional staff anything more than a small token of appreciation is totally unacceptable, in any circumstances. Staff members are obliged to report all such incidents to their supervisor/manager, who will refer them for action under the university's student’s disciplinary procedures.

The University of Adelaide is committed to regular reviews of the courses and programs it offers to students. The University of Adelaide therefore reserves the right to discontinue or vary programs and courses without notice. Please read the important information contained in the disclaimer.