Music Theatre Contextual Studies

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2014:

120 hours

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

Music Theatre Contextual Studies provides a foundation understanding of the history and major developments in 20th Century Music Theatre within social, cultural and historical contexts and as they connect to diverse objectives and influences. Students will gain skills in critical analysis of all elements of structure and performance of music theatre works and examine potential future developments in the form through weekly music theatre history lectures. Also in this subject, students will develop skills in musicianship. aural studies and music theory through music skills classes, providing a music theory base fro their practice-based voice studies.

This subject includes an embedded program in academic literacy skills of analysis, discussion, essay writing, research and information retrieval.

On completing this subject students will be able to:

• demonstrate clear level of historical knowledge of developments in music theatre over the 20th Century;
• display greater insight into stage performance from a cultural, historical and social perspective;
• analyse a wide variety of performance practices from multiple genres;
• debate a wide variety of performance philosophies and their relative merits and short comings;
• demonstrate an ability to research and articulate ideas and critical analysis in written form;
• develop skills in music literacy to underpin practice;
• demonstrate the ability to put theoretical music theory skills into practice for a properly supported craft-based approcach to singing, including the ability to analyse and then perform music notation

Continuous: 20% based on preparation and participation in discussions and workshop sessions and in-class based tasks and tests throughout the semester for Music Skills classes.

Written: 80% TOTAL: (comprising: 15% Review of a live theatre performance (500 words); 15% Journal summary of activities, lecture notes and personal research including personal reflections (500 words); 50% Research essay; 1500 words.)

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; Students must complete the Library Activity Assignment. This needs to be attached to the Live Performance Review

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.

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

On completing this subject students will be able to:
• exhibit extensive practical and theoretical understanding of their discipline including acquisition of skill level, discipline, relevant professional knowledge, and ethics appropriate to professional artistic practice;
• be critical and creative thinkers, with an aptitude for continued self-directed learning.
• participate fully in collaborative learning and to confront unfamiliar problems.
• bring a spirit of enquiry and critical evaluation to the consideration of new forms and the development of Music Theatre and the allied art forms;
• understand research practices as a result of preparing materials for online discussion and essays;

• present opinions and analysis in classroom discussion;

• argue clearly and logically as a result of the planning and writing of essays;

• utilise effective library research skills, including the development of search strategies to find information from a variety of quality information resources, including online databases, books, journals, internet, and a variety of multimedia-rich resources;

• demonstrate effective time-management skills.