MUSGEN 2003 - Music, Media & Contemporary Society II

North Terrace Campus - Semester 2 - 2020

This course examines the use and meaning of music in a range of media contexts in contemporary society. It draws on examples of music media such as audio recordings, feature films, animated cartoons, television shows and advertisements, video games, radio, and background music. Part of the focus of the course is on the interconnectedness of musical practices brought about through music-oriented technology. This may be seen especially in the general impact of recording technology on all forms of music-making and consumption, but also in the business and promotional practices associated with the global music industry, and in issues related to music copyright. Throughout the course, an emphasis will be placed on developing students' ability to critically examine and discuss aspects of musical aesthetics, behaviour, function, and meaning.

  • General Course Information
    Course Details
    Course Code MUSGEN 2003
    Course Music, Media & Contemporary Society II
    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
    Prerequisites At least 12 units of Level I undergraduate study
    Incompatible GENMUS 2005, GENMUS 3005, MUSGEN 3014
    Assumed Knowledge Ability to play an instrument or read music is not required for this course
    Course Description This course examines the use and meaning of music in a range of media contexts in contemporary society. It draws on examples of music media such as audio recordings, feature films, animated cartoons, television shows and advertisements, video games, radio, and background music. Part of the focus of the course is on the interconnectedness of musical practices brought about through music-oriented technology. This may be seen especially in the general impact of recording technology on all forms of music-making and consumption, but also in the business and promotional practices associated with the global music industry, and in issues related to music copyright. Throughout the course, an emphasis will be placed on developing students' ability to critically examine and discuss aspects of musical aesthetics, behaviour, function, and meaning.
    Course Staff

    Course Coordinator: Mr Steven Knopoff

    Course Timetable

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

  • Learning Outcomes
    Course Learning Outcomes
    On successful completion of this course students will be able to:

    1. Demonstrate awareness and understanding of a wide range of contexts in which technology, aesthetics, and commerce interact in both the creation and consumption of music in contemporary society.
    2. Demonstrate awareness and understanding of the extent to which the aesthetic and other meanings associated with music are influenced by 'extra musical' contexts in which music is created and consumed.
    3. Development of music research skills and confidence in written communication.
    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)
    Deep discipline knowledge
    • informed and infused by cutting edge research, scaffolded throughout their program of studies
    • acquired from personal interaction with research active educators, from year 1
    • accredited or validated against national or international standards (for relevant programs)
    1, 2
    Critical thinking and problem solving
    • steeped in research methods and rigor
    • based on empirical evidence and the scientific approach to knowledge development
    • demonstrated through appropriate and relevant assessment
    1, 2, 3
    Teamwork and communication skills
    • developed from, with, and via the SGDE
    • honed through assessment and practice throughout the program of studies
    • encouraged and valued in all aspects of learning
    3
    Career and leadership readiness
    • technology savvy
    • professional and, where relevant, fully accredited
    • forward thinking and well informed
    • tested and validated by work based experiences
    1, 2, 3
    Intercultural and ethical competency
    • adept at operating in other cultures
    • comfortable with different nationalities and social contexts
    • able to determine and contribute to desirable social outcomes
    • demonstrated by study abroad or with an understanding of indigenous knowledges
    1, 3
    Self-awareness and emotional intelligence
    • a capacity for self-reflection and a willingness to engage in self-appraisal
    • open to objective and constructive feedback from supervisors and peers
    • able to negotiate difficult social situations, defuse conflict and engage positively in purposeful debate
    3
  • Learning Resources
    Required Resources
    All assigned readings for this course are in the Course Reader, which is available from Image and Copy Centre (Level 1 Hughes Building). Student Course Readers must first be purchased online from University's Online Shop. Login to Unified and click on the Online Shop icon in the left hand side of the Home page. Once ordered and payed for, Readers can be collected from Image & Copy Centre.
    Recommended Resources
    A wealth of relevant material including journals, reference materials, and online sound and video resources, are available via the University Library's Music Database page: http://libguides.adelaide.edu.au/music/databases.
    Online Learning
    Course documents, including in-class handouts and other information will be available in MyUni. MyUni will also be used for submission of course essays and for other assessed work.
  • Learning & Teaching Activities
    Learning & Teaching Modes
    Lectures will address the information and aims set out in the Course Description. There are no tutorials for this course; however lectures will include opportunities for questions/answers and limited open discussion.
    Workload

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

    The following information is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements: In
    addition to the 3 contact hours per week, it is anticipated that students would spend 6-8 hours per week in reviewing lecture notes, preparing the assigned readings undertaking additional (suggested) readings and listening, revising for exams, and researching and writing the course essay.
    Learning Activities Summary
    The following schedule is indicative of the topics in this course. Some topics and ordering of topics may vary.

    WEEK 1 

    Introduction to the Course
    The Socio-Cultural, and Aesthetic Impact of Recorded Music

    WEEK 2
    The Global Music Industry

    WEEK 3
    Distribution and Consumption of Recorded Music in the Digital Age

    WEEK 4
    Music in Feature Films, Animated Cartoons, Television Advertisements, Music Videos and Games

    WEEK 5

    Music in Feature Films, Animated Cartoons, Television Advertisements, Music Videos and Games

    WEEK 6

    Music in Feature Films, Animated Cartoons, Television Advertisements, Music Videos and Games

    WEEK 7

    Music & Media in non-English Speaking Cultures: Contemporary Uses of Traditional Music in Japan

    WEEK 8

    Music & Media in non-English Speaking Cultures: Mexican Narcocorridos: Traditional Ballads, Contemporary Drug Trade, and Music Media

    WEEK 9

    Background Music

    WEEK 10

    Dynamic Range Compression and Portable Music: Usability, Audibility, Economics, and Aesthetics

    WEEK 11

    The Role of and Meaning of Classical Music in the 21st Century

    WEEK 12

    Course Summary

    Specific Course Requirements
    There are no additional course-specific requirements.
  • 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
    ASSESSMENT TASK TASK TYPE WEIGHTING COURSE LEARNING OUTCOME(S)
    Exam #1 Summative and Formative 25% 1, 2
    Course Essay Summative 40% 1, 2, 3
    Exam #2 Summative 35% 1, 2
    Assessment Detail
    Exams
    Exam #1 (45 minutes) and Exam#2 (75 minutes) will each assess material covered in course lectures and assigned readings and will require a combination of short- and medium-length written answers. Students are required to sit both tests as scheduled. No exceptions will be made except in the case of certified medical or compassionate grounds.

    Essay
    Students will select a topic to research from set range of topics related to the course. Submitted essays should be 2000-2500 words in length. Further information will be provided in the essay instructions, to be distributed and discussed early in the semester.
    Submission
    Final versions of written assignments should be submitted as .pdf in MyUni no later than 5:00 p.m. on the due date.

    Late assignment policy:
    Late written assignments will be accepted to a maximum of 7 days late with a late penalty of 2 marks per calendar day applied.

    Extensions without penalty may be granted when supporting documentation can be provided and then, and only then, by arrangement with the course lecturer prior to the due date and time. Extensions will not be granted under any other circumstance. To apply for an extension, use the medical/compassionate application form available at:

    http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/3303/?dsn=policy.document;field=data;id=7446;m=view

    The completed form should be submitted to the Elder Conservatorium Office, either in person at the Music Office front desk (Schulz Building Level 9, access via western Schulz lifts) or via email: music@adelaide.edu.au
    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.

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