MUS 737 : Music Technology Research
Creative Arts and Industries
2021 Semester Two (1215) (30 POINTS)
Course Prescription
Course Overview
This aim of this course is to introduce students to academic research in the area of music technology. In the first half of the semester weeks, we will explore a range of research topics in music technology, among which: (i) the role that artificial intelligence will play on music production and composition; (ii) the effects of music streaming on music listening and creation; (iii) an analysis of new technologies music education; (iv) human-machine collaborations in computer-generated music. In the second half of the semester, each student will lead a research project of their choice by employing a variety of research methodologies that will be introduced by the course director. Students from all music specialisations can join the course and would benefit from the taught components in different ways.
Capabilities Developed in this Course
| Capability 1: | Disciplinary Knowledge and Practice |
| Capability 2: | Critical Thinking |
| Capability 3: | Solution Seeking |
| Capability 4: | Communication and Engagement |
| Capability 5: | Independence and Integrity |
| Capability 6: | Social and Environmental Responsibilities |
Learning Outcomes
- Develop research methodology skills that can be applied to various areas of music research. (Capability 1, 3 and 5)
- Develop an understanding of the socio-cultural implications of music technology. (Capability 1, 2 and 6)
- Improve writing and presentation skills. (Capability 2, 4 and 5)
- Contribute to critical discussions of peer-developed projects. (Capability 2 and 4)
Assessments
| Assessment Type | Percentage | Classification |
|---|---|---|
| Final project | 50% | Individual Coursework |
| Final presentation | 20% | Individual Coursework |
| Mid-term presentation | 10% | Individual Coursework |
| Literature rewiew | 20% | Individual Coursework |
| 4 types | 100% |
| Assessment Type | Learning Outcome Addressed | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | |||||||
| Final project | ||||||||||
| Final presentation | ||||||||||
| Mid-term presentation | ||||||||||
| Literature rewiew | ||||||||||
Teaching & Learning Methods
- In class analysis of new technologies applied to music production, composition, distribution, and education.
- Participation to lectures with invited speakers from music studios, music technology companies, and international music researchers
- Online material (e.g. videos, articles, examples) will be available online for students to prepare for each lecture and to further explore matters discussed in class
- Students will present and discuss assignments in class
- Students will be encouraged to keep a digital diary to document the evolution of their resarch
- Written components on students’ projects
- Two writing retreat will be organised to support students in their writing task
- Individual or small group work and ongoing technical and conceptual feedback on student projects
- In office time for individual or small group of students to seek additional or private counsel on projects
Workload Expectations
For this course, you can expect 24 hours of lectures, 24 hours of tutorial, 8 hours of writing retreat, 6 hours to attend invited speakers’ talks, 60 hours of reading, 110 hours of work on project preparation, 60 hours on writing report, and 8 hours on preparing and delivering the presentations.
Delivery Mode
Campus Experience
Attendance is required at scheduled activities including tutorials to complete components of the course.
Lectures will be available as recordings. Other learning activities including seminars will be available as recordings.
The course will include live online events including group discussions and tutorials.
The activities for the course are scheduled as a standard weekly timetable.
Learning Resources
- Decomposed: the political ecology of music (MIT press)
- Spotify teardown: Inside the Black Box of Streaming Music (MIT press)
- Intelligent Music Production (Routledge)
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.
Other Information
This course is designed for all music students; previous knowledge in programming and computer matters is not expected, not required.
Digital 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.
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 against online source material using computerised detection mechanisms.
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.
In the event of 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. In the event of a disruption, the University and your course coordinators will make every effort to provide you with up to date information via Canvas and the University website.
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 you may be asked to submit your 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. The final decision on the completion mode for a test or examination, and remote invigilation arrangements where applicable, will be advised to students at least 10 days prior to the scheduled date of the assessment, or in the case of an examination when the examination timetable is published.