MUS2087 Introduction to Popular Music

Contents

• Staffing
• Rationale
• Synopsis
• Objectives
• Topics
• Texts
• Reference materials
• Student workload
• Assessment details
• Important assessment information
• Assessment notes
• Production date
• PDF version

STAFFING

RATIONALE

Critical, scholarly reflection on, and analysis of popular music are important skills for musicians. As increasing emphasis is placed on popular music in school syllabi, this course will allow students to continue their secondary studies in popular music to the tertiary level and, in turn, provide input to potential private and classroom music teachers. This course is also designed for students interested in music as recreation or wishing to cultivate cross-disciplinary interests.

SYNOPSIS

The course will provide a detailed overview of the principal styles of contemporary Western popular music and their historical development. Australian popular music will receive especial focus.

OBJECTIVES

On completion of this course students will be able to:

1. Have an understanding of the historical development of Western popular music from 1950 to the present;
2. Be able to identify aurally important songs and styles;
3. Have an understanding of the way popular music relates to society and culture;
4. Have an understanding of the principal issues in the development of Australian popular music;
5. Learn skills in writing about music that can be developed into further music scholarship, criticism and music journalism.

TOPICS

TEXT and MATERIALS required to be PURCHASED or accessed

ALL textbooks and materials are available for purchase from USQ BOOKSHOP (unless otherwise stated). Orders may be placed via secure internet, free fax 1800642453, phone 07 46312742 (within Australia), or mail. Overseas students should fax +61 7 46311743, or phone +61 7 46312742. For costs, further details, and internet ordering, use the 'Textbook Search' facility at http://bookshop.usq.edu.au click 'Semester', then enter your 'Course Code' (no spaces).

Covach, J 2006, What's that sound?, 5th edn, WW Norton, New York.

REFERENCE MATERIALS

Reference materials are materials that, if accessed by students, may improve their knowledge and understanding of the material in the course and enrich their learning experience.

Charlton, K 2003, Rock Music Styles, 4th edn, McGraw-Hill, Boston.

Covach, J & Boone, G 1997, Understanding Rock: Essays in Musical Analysis, Oxford University Press, New York.

Garofolo, R 2004, Rockin' Out - Popular music in the U.S.A, 3rd edn, Peason/Prentice Hall, Upper Saddle River.

Henke, J et al (eds) 1992, The Rolling Stone Illustrated History of Rock and Roll, 3rd edn, Random House, New York.

Moore, A 1997, The Beatles: Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge.

Stuessy, J 2006, Rock and Roll: Its History and stylistic development, 5th edn, Pearson/Prantice Hall, Upper Saddle River.

STUDENT WORKLOAD REQUIREMENTS

ASSESSMENT DETAILS

NOTES

1.

This assessment is aligned with Objectives 1, 3 and 5.

2.

This assessment is aligned with Objectives 1, 3, 4 & 5.

3.

Students will be advised of the examination dated when the timetable has been finalised. This assessment is aligned with Objectives 1, 3 and 4.

IMPORTANT ASSESSMENT INFORMATION

1. Attendance requirements:
   It is the student's responsibility to attend and participate appropriately in all activities (such as lectures, tutorials, laboratories and practical work) scheduled for them, and to study all material provided to them or required to be accessed by them to maximise their chance of meeting the objectives of the course and to be informed of course-related activities and administration. For this course, normal class attendance consists of one 2 hour lecture.
2. Requirements for students to complete each assessment item satisfactorily:
   To successfully complete an individual assessment item, a student must achieve at least 50% of the marks or a grade of at least C-. This statement must be read in conjunction with Statement 4 below.
3. Penalties for late submission of required work:
   If students submit assignments after the due date without extenuating circumstances and without prior approval, then a penalty of a maximum of 5% of the assigned mark may apply for each working day late, up to a maximum of 10 working days, at which time a mark of zero can be recorded for that assignment.
4. Requirements for student to be awarded a passing grade in the course:
   To be assured of receiving a passing grade, a student must achieve at least 50% of the total weighted marks available for the course.
5. Method used to combine assessment results to attain final grade:
   The final grades for students will be assigned on the basis of the aggregate of the weighted marks obtained for each of the summative assessment items in the course.
6. Examination information:
   The exam for this course is a RESTRICTED examination, and the only materials that candidates may use are writing materials (non-electronic and free from material which could give the student an unfair advantage in the examination.) Students whose first language is not English may take an appropriate unmarked non-electronic translation dictionary (but not technical dictionary) into the examination. Dictionaries with any handwritten notes will not be permitted. Translation dictionaries will be subject to perusal and may be removed from the candidate's possession until appropriate disciplinary action is completed if found to contain material that could give the candidate an unfair advantage.
7. Examination period when Deferred/Supplementary examinations will be held:
   Any deferred or supplementary examinations for this course will be held during the next examination period.
8. University Regulations:
   Students should read USQ Regulations 5.1 Definitions, 5.6 Assessment, and 5.10 Academic Misconduct for further information and to avoid actions which might contravene University Regulations. These regulations can be found at the URL http://www.usq.edu.au/corporateservices/calendar/part5.htm

ASSESSMENT NOTES

This version produced 27 May 2008.