Pop Song Writing 2

Subject MUSI20172 (2015)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2015.

Credit Points: 12.5
Level: 2 (Undergraduate)
Dates & Locations:

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2015:

Semester 2, Southbank - Taught on campus.
Pre-teaching Period Start not applicable
Teaching Period 27-Jul-2015 to 25-Oct-2015
Assessment Period End 20-Nov-2015
Last date to Self-Enrol 07-Aug-2015
Census Date 31-Aug-2015
Last date to Withdraw without fail 25-Sep-2015


Timetable can be viewed here. For information about these dates, click here.
Time Commitment: Contact Hours: 24 hours
Total Time Commitment:

96 hours total
24 hours contact plus 72 (6hrs x12) non-contact.

Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Recommended Background Knowledge:

Ability to read music notation

Non Allowed Subjects: None
Core Participation Requirements:

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Student Support and Engagement Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Overview, Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Generic Skills sections of this entry.

It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. Students who feel their disability may impact on meeting the requirements of this subject are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and Student Equity and Disability Support: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/disability

Coordinator

Assoc Prof Mark Pollard

Contact

Faculty of the VCA & MCM Student Centre
Ground Floor, Elisabeth Murdoch Building (Bldg 860)
Southbank Campus
234 St Kilda Road, Southbank, 3006

Enquiries
Phone: 13 MELB (13 6352)
Email: 13MELB@unimelb.edu.au

Subject Overview:

This subject further develops the understanding of song writing for the commercial music industry. Aspects of song form including the chorus and the hook, lyric writing and industry requirements will be examined. Pop Song Writing is delivered as a lecture and workshop in a large group format and will illuminate the fundamental principles of song writing. It is also a practical class forum for the workshop of new pop songs and provides the opportunity for the individual development and showing of new songs and group discussion of issues related to pop song composition. During the course students will be required to engage in whole group discussion and to present complete and ongoing pop songs.

Learning Outcomes:

On completing this subject students will:
• develop an appreciation and understanding of the nature of commercial music making;
• be cognisant of the key elements of pop song writing;
• develop an appreciation of the pop song development process in a solo and group environment.

Assessment:

(15%) Completion of a Pop Song Writing logbook that documents observation and practice completed throughout the semester. Equivalent word length 600 words. Due end of Semester.

(15%) Pop Song Writing Analysis. Equivalent to 600 words. Due week 4 of the Semester.

(10%) Completion of Pop Song Writing tasks. Equivalent to 400 words. Due week 7 of the Semester.

(60%) Completion and submission of an original pop song that is based on song writing and commercial music concepts presented by staff during this subject. Duration: 3 minutes 30 seconds. Equivalent to 2150 words. In addition, a 250 word statement clearly describing how song form, lyric writing and melodic & harmonic structure in the song submitted demonstrates key aspects of pop song writing discussed in this subject: Due: Assessment period

Hurdle requirements: Students must attend 80% of all scheduled classes and attempt all elements of assessment to be eligible for a pass in this subject.
Late submission:

  • Unless an extension has been granted, for essays/assignments submitted after the due date, the mark a student is awarded for their work will be reduced by 10% for each day the work is late. Using electronic submission means work may be submitted on any day.
  • Unless an extension has been granted, assignments submitted later than 5 working days (or 1 week if due on a weekend) after the due date will not be marked, and will receive no marks.
Prescribed Texts: None
Breadth Options:

This subject potentially can be taken as a breadth subject component for the following courses:

You should visit learn more about breadth subjects and read the breadth requirements for your degree, and should discuss your choice with your student adviser, before deciding on your subjects.

Fees Information: Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Generic Skills:

On completing this subject students will:
• be critical and creative thinkers, with an aptitude for continued self-directed learning.
• be adept at learning in a range of ways, including through information and communication technologies.
• expand their analytical and cognitive skills through learning experiences in diverse subjects.
• have the capacity to participate fully in collaborative learning and to confront unfamiliar problems.

Links to further information: http://www.vcam.unimelb.edu.au/
Related Course(s): Bachelor of Fine Arts (Animation)
Bachelor of Fine Arts (Contemporary Music)
Bachelor of Fine Arts (Dance)
Bachelor of Fine Arts (Film and Television)
Bachelor of Fine Arts (Music Theatre)
Bachelor of Fine Arts (Production)
Bachelor of Fine Arts (Screenwriting)
Bachelor of Fine Arts (Theatre Practice)
Bachelor of Fine Arts (Visual Art)

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