Indie Music: Exploring Alternative Pop

This subject is not offered in 2016.

170 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

This subject explores the various manifestations of indie music, from its roots in punk music to more contemporary musical forms such as indie pop, indie rock, folk, and hip hop. The focus will be on examples of international and Australian bands and artists. The subject will also examine how recent technological advancements, such as digitalisation and the internet (Facebook, YouTube, Tune Core, Reverbnation), have impacted popular-music production, dissemination, and consumption, advancements that have supposedly democratised the music industry whilst creating new avenues for the emergence of indie music and artists.

On completion of this subject students should be able to:

• discuss critically the evolution of indie-music genres in both Australian and international contexts
• understand how technology informs musical production, dissemination, and consumption
• compile and creatively engage with music playlists for academic purposes
• employ research and writing skills suitable for the study of popular music

4 x journal entries (300 words each), one of which can be an essay plan; submitted during semester (30%)

One 15-minute oral presentation and accompanying playlist based on an independent artist/band or genre; presented in tutorials during the semester (20%)

A 2,000-word essay; submitted during the examination period (50%)

A reading pack will be available for purchase from the Melbourne University Bookshop before the start of semester

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

On completion of this subject students should have developed

• research and writing skills
• critical thinking skills
• a capacity to seek out relevant information using bibliographical tools
• the ability to relate music to its cultural contexts
• an ability to examine and discuss popular music within an academic framework