MUS 711 : Composition Research Project

Creative Arts and Industries

2024 Semester One (1243) (30 POINTS)

Course Prescription

A customised creative project in instrumental/vocal composition and/or sonic arts realised through an end-of-semester portfolio of original compositions.

Course Overview

MUS711 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 creative projects. This project-led course facilitates students who wish to deepen their compositional practice in specialised ways, but also provides for professionals with an extant creative practice who seek to embed research models as a foundation for future practice and research careers. 

Course Requirements

Prerequisite: 30 points from MUS 710, 770, 780

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
Assignments - Pre task Individual Coursework
Portfolio 100% Individual Coursework
Assessment Type Learning Outcome Addressed
1 2 3 4 5 6
Assignments - Pre task
Portfolio
Assignment extensions might be approved only in exceptional circumstances. Late assignments that do not have an approved extension will be penalised 10% for each day or part thereof. No assignment will be accepted after that assignment has been returned to students.

Teaching & Learning Methods

Individual tutorials on portfolio materials.

Workload Expectations

This course is a 30 point course and students are expected to spend 20 hours per week involved in each 30 point course that they are enrolled in.

For this course, you can expect 12 hours of group seminars/tutorials, 12 hours individual tutorials, 136 hours of reading and thinking about the content and 140 hours of work on portfolio preparation.

Delivery Mode

Campus Experience

Attendance is expected at scheduled activities including tutorials and workshops to complete components of the course.

Learning activities including tutorials will not be available as recordings.

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.

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 711 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.

Feedback from this course is generally positive, and we will continue to work with students to design individual projects and course content.

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 29/10/2023 12:10 p.m.