MUS 710 : Composition Research Portfolio

Creative Arts and Industries

2024 Semester One (1243) (30 POINTS)

Course Prescription

Through individually negotiated creative projects and supporting studies in instrumental/vocal composition or sonic arts, students deliver an end-of-semester portfolio of original compositions, wherein skills are refined through targeted research in notational and/or sonic techniques, repertoire study and critical thinking. To take supporting studies in both sonic arts and instrumental composition students should enrol in the corresponding elective MUS 714 or 715.

Course Overview

MUS710 is designed to elevate already accomplished  students with creativity and craft in original composition in a critical and enquiring manner, through the completion of a portfolio of negotiated technical and creative projects. This course is aimed at students who have recently completed third-year who wish to deepen their practice in specialised ways, but also for professionals with an extant creative practice who seek to embed research models as a foundation for future practice and research careers. Students are scaffold-taught, therefore self-motivation and independent study underpins all aspects of this course. 

Course Requirements

Prerequisite: MUS 311 or 315

Capabilities Developed in this Course

Capability 1: People and Place
Capability 3: Knowledge and Practice
Capability 4: Critical Thinking
Capability 5: Solution Seeking
Capability 6: Communication
Capability 7: Collaboration
Capability 8: Ethics and Professionalism

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:
  1. Prepare a diverse folio of compositions for various ensembles of instruments and voices, and/or sonic arts. (Capability 3.1, 3.2 and 5.1)
  2. Maintain a high level of self-motivated research and study (Capability 6.1, 7.1 and 8.1)
  3. Demonstrate the ability to create notated, instructional, media-based or otherwise-mediated works at a professional level (Capability 3.2, 5.1 and 6.1)
  4. Demonstrate and apply a range of advanced notational and/or sound-based techniques within the context of individually negotiated composition projects (Capability 4.1 and 5.1)
  5. Develop and demonstrate a range of innovative solutions to aesthetic problems within the context of individually negotiated composition projects. (Capability 1.1, 3.1 and 8.2)
  6. Develop and demonstrate familiarity with instrumental and vocal and/or sonic arts repertoire and literature aligned to and in contrast with individually negotiated creative projects as well as the ability to discuss and review expert domain sources in conference-style presentation format. (Capability 3.2, 4.1 and 6.1)

Assessments

Assessment Type Percentage Classification
Statement of Research Focus and Creative Practice 5% Individual Coursework
Practical Studies 30% Individual Coursework
Portfolio: of Creative Works 65% Individual Coursework
Assessment Type Learning Outcome Addressed
1 2 3 4 5 6
Statement of Research Focus and Creative Practice
Practical Studies
Portfolio: of Creative Works
Assignments are to be submitted, according to submission type specied on CANVAS, by the due date. In the event of illness or other circumstances that prevent completing an assignment, please contact the course coordinator with evidence as appropriate before the due date. Late assignments that do not have an approved extension will be penalized 10% for each day or part thereof. No assignment will be accepted after that assignment has been returned to students.

Teaching & Learning Methods

Weekly and/or Modular Lectures: (seminar delivery)
Modular Group Tutorials
Modular Individual Tutorials
Self-guided project work 

Workload Expectations

This course is a 30 point course and students are expected to spend 10 hours per week involved in each 15 point course that they are enrolled in.

For this course, you can expect 12 hours of lectures, 12 hours tutorials, 136 hours of reading and thinking about the content and 140 hours of work on assignments and/or test preparation.

Delivery Mode

Campus Experience

Attendance is expected at scheduled activities including tutorials to support key components of the course.

Lectures will be available as recordings  only where university camera-equipped rooms are used. Other learning activities including tutorials and office hours will not be available as recordings.

The course will not include live online events including tutorials.

The activities for the course are scheduled as a negotiated weekly timetable.

Learning Resources

Course materials are made available in a learning and collaboration tool called Canvas which also includes reading lists and lecture recordings (where available).

Please remember that the recording of any class on a personal device requires the permission of the instructor.

All course readings are available via Reading Lists on Canvas, added week to week. Other Materials including scores and recordings also on Canvas and in class. A repertoire list for the entire composition area will be made available on Canvas.

Computer access for use of ProTools/Logic/Max: Students enrolled in MUS 311 will receive access to 250-215/216 (Composition Studios 1&2) during the hours of 7.30am-11.00pm weekdays and 8.00am-6.00pm weekends. Access cards should be automatically enabled by week 4 of semester. Students who experience difficulty with obtaining access to the composition studio should contact the NICAI Student Centre, Building 421, 26 Symonds St, Level 2. 

Computer access for use of Sibelius: Faculty computers are available both at the School of Music Composition Studio 2, 250-215, 6 Symonds St, and at the Kenneth Meyers Centre, 820-118, 74 Shortland St. Additional computers are located in the Architecture building 421, 26 Symonds St, Level 5, Room 521. 

Remember, save your work frequently and always back up!

Use of Canvas is primarily for resources and submitting assignments. 

Student Feedback

At the end of every semester students will be invited to give feedback on the course and teaching through a tool called SET or Qualtrics. The lecturers and course co-ordinators will consider all feedback and respond with summaries and actions.

Your feedback helps teachers to improve the course and its delivery for future students.

Class Representatives in each class can take feedback to the department and faculty staff-student consultative committees.

SET evaluations did not make the threshold in 2023 so any adaptations in coursework have been based on oral feedback from students across the course. 

Academic Integrity

The University of Auckland will not tolerate cheating, or assisting others to cheat, and views cheating in coursework as a serious academic offence. The work that a student submits for grading must be the student's own work, reflecting their learning. Where work from other sources is used, it must be properly acknowledged and referenced. This requirement also applies to sources on the internet. A student's assessed work may be reviewed for potential plagiarism or other forms of academic misconduct, using computerised detection mechanisms.

Class Representatives

Class representatives are students tasked with representing student issues to departments, faculties, and the wider university. If you have a complaint about this course, please contact your class rep who will know how to raise it in the right channels. See your departmental noticeboard for contact details for your class reps.

Inclusive Learning

All students are asked to discuss any impairment related requirements privately, face to face and/or in written form with the course coordinator, lecturer or tutor.

Student Disability Services also provides support for students with a wide range of impairments, both visible and invisible, to succeed and excel at the University. For more information and contact details, please visit the Student Disability Services’ website http://disability.auckland.ac.nz

Special Circumstances

If your ability to complete assessed coursework is affected by illness or other personal circumstances outside of your control, contact a member of teaching staff as soon as possible before the assessment is due.

If your personal circumstances significantly affect your performance, or preparation, for an exam or eligible written test, refer to the University’s aegrotat or compassionate consideration page https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/academic-information/exams-and-final-results/during-exams/aegrotat-and-compassionate-consideration.html.

This should be done as soon as possible and no later than seven days after the affected test or exam date.

Learning Continuity

In the event of an unexpected disruption we undertake to maintain the continuity and standard of teaching and learning in all your courses throughout the year. If there are unexpected disruptions the University has contingency plans to ensure that access to your course continues and your assessment is fair, and not compromised. Some adjustments may need to be made in emergencies. You will be kept fully informed by your course co-ordinator, and if disruption occurs you should refer to the University Website for information about how to proceed.

Student Charter and Responsibilities

The Student Charter assumes and acknowledges that students are active participants in the learning process and that they have responsibilities to the institution and the international community of scholars. The University expects that students will act at all times in a way that demonstrates respect for the rights of other students and staff so that the learning environment is both safe and productive. For further information visit Student Charter https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/forms-policies-and-guidelines/student-policies-and-guidelines/student-charter.html.

Disclaimer

Elements of this outline may be subject to change. The latest information about the course will be available for enrolled students in Canvas.

In this course students may be asked to submit coursework assessments digitally. The University reserves the right to conduct scheduled tests and examinations for this course online or through the use of computers or other electronic devices. Where tests or examinations are conducted online remote invigilation arrangements may be used. In exceptional circumstances changes to elements of this course may be necessary at short notice. Students enrolled in this course will be informed of any such changes and the reasons for them, as soon as possible, through Canvas.

Published on 27/10/2023 08:37 a.m.