Pop Song Writing

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2012:

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

Ability to read music notation.

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

This subject introduces the basics 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 in two parts: lecture and workshop. Lecture is taught in a large group format and will illuminate the fundamental principles of song writing. Workshop is 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.

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.

Completion of a Laptop Recording Studio logbook or contributions to a community common blog, that documents observation, practice and individual tasks completed throughout the semester. The logbook must contain two A4 size pages of entries for each teaching week. 40%

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. 60%

Time due: Examination period

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.

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.

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

• Bachelor of Arts
• Bachelor of Biomedicine
• Bachelor of Commerce
• Bachelor of Environments
• Bachelor of Science
• Bachelor of Engineering

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.

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.