50824 Songwriting and Composition for Context

Warning: The information on this page is indicative. The subject outline for a particular session, location and mode of offering is the authoritative source of all information about the subject for that offering. Required texts, recommended texts and references in particular are likely to change. Students will be provided with a subject outline once they enrol in the subject.

Subject handbook information prior to 2018 is available in the Archives.

UTS: Communication: MAP and Sound and Music Design
Credit points: 8 cp
Result type: Grade and marks

Requisite(s): 16 credit points of completed study in spk(s): MAJ10025 Music and Sound Design Major BMusSoundDes OR 16 credit points of completed study in spk(s): MAJ10045 Sound and Music Design Major OR 16 credit points of completed study in spk(s): STM90225 Core subjects (SMD)
Anti-requisite(s): 50834 Audio Production AND 50858 Audio Production

Description

In this subject students explore songwriting techniques for a wide range of musical styles, genres and contexts. Topics covered include lyric writing, melody writing, the relationship between music and text, contemporary song structures and forms, rhythm and storytelling, and the harmonic techniques of songwriting. Theoretical case studies are integrated with critical listening and practical exercises, with students creating original song and instrumental materials to industry-based briefs.

Subject learning objectives (SLOs)

a.	Reflect critically on major formative genres/artists in popular music
b.	Theorise from critical, technical, aesthetic, and socio-cultural musical knowledges
c.	Incorporate a variety of performing media and technology in creative production process
d.	Analyse the characteristics of different musical and cultural contexts through particular songs and their texts
e.	Relate detailed written literature, listening and musicological material to creative practice
f.	Apply understanding of different professional contexts to inform creativity and technical design.

Course intended learning outcomes (CILOs)

This subject engages with the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs), which are tailored to the Graduate Attributes set for all graduates of the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences:

Graduates possess a well-developed awareness of culture and professional practice of music and sound in the context of the technological and creative industries (1.1)
Graduates are able to present, explain and evaluate their own and others' work in independent and collaborative contexts (1.2)
Graduates are reflexive critical thinkers and creative practitioners who are intellectually curious, imaginative and innovative (2.1)
Graduates are able to engage responsibly and respectfully with the musics and sound practices of a wide range of cultures (3.1)
Graduates possess reflective and analytical skills enabling them to synthesise ideas from a diverse range of sources and communicate effectively to different audiences using appropriate media and modes (6.1)
Graduates possess the technical and creative skills to express themselves in multi-platform contexts (6.2)

Teaching and learning strategies

Face-to-face classes will incorporate a range of teaching and learning strategies including interactive lectures, workshops, short presentations, recordings and videos, informal performances, project-based learning, peer-to-peer feedback on work in progress, discussion of readings and case studies, and student group work. These will be complemented by independent student reading and listening.

Students are required to engage with online, pre-class learning materials before coming to tutorials, with formative feedback provided during these activities.

Content (topics)

Topics include:

Compositional techniques in popular music, lyric writing, song structure and popular music forms, instrumentation, groove, timbre, texture, genre and style, performance techniques, identity, emotion and subjectivity within song, recording and production (the “sound-box”), popular music and socio-cultural context, playback media and contemporary consumer platforms.

Assessment

Assessment task 1: Song Analysis

Objective(s):

a, b, d and e

Weight:

40%

Length:

1500 words

Criteria linkages:

Criteria	Weight (%)	SLOs	CILOs
Clarity of expression	15	a	1.2
Coherence of structure	15	b	1.2
Accuracy of analysis	20	d	2.1
Integration of relevant literature and context	20	b	3.1
Overall strength of analytical interpretation	30	e	6.1

SLOs: subject learning objectives
CILOs: course intended learning outcomes

Assessment task 2: Original Song/Composition for Context