MUS 743 : Advanced Music Research
Creative Arts and Industries
2021 Semester One (1213) (15 POINTS)
Course Prescription
Course Overview
It is important for the postgraduate music student to acquire research skills for future postgraduate study. In addition, students need knowledge of research methodologies and an opportunity to develop their own research ideas and interests. This course provides such an opportunity, with a focus on applied, present-day research contexts involving human subjects in a range of music contexts.
This course explores concepts and methods for practical, creative and pedagogical music research. Students investigate different forms of creative and qualitative research, surveys, action research and practice-led research, and learn how to conduct research with human subjects on music related topics. Students study the various stages of the research process from the formulation of a research question to the analysis and interpretation of findings. They select a topic of interest and create a research design, which they present to the group as a seminar. There is an emphasis on the development of both written and research related skills.
The aims of this course are (1) to help students develop a critical understanding of research methods; and (2) to develop research techniques and writing skills that will enable them to prepare and conduct music research projects at the postgraduate level.
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
- Demonstrate knowledge of the conceptual and theoretical bases of research methods suitable for arts-based research (Capability 1 and 2)
- Apply methodological knowledge to music research problems and designs (Capability 1 and 2)
- Develop awareness of the diversity of music research and its value to the music community and wider community (Capability 4 and 6)
- Develop understanding of key issues informing practical music research (Capability 1 and 2)
- Understand and apply the key elements of research and the research process (Capability 2, 3 and 5)
Assessments
| Assessment Type | Percentage | Classification |
|---|---|---|
| Assignments | 40% | Individual Coursework |
| Essay | 30% | Individual Coursework |
| Presentation | 20% | Individual Coursework |
| Assignments | 10% | Individual Coursework |
| 4 types | 100% |
| Assessment Type | Learning Outcome Addressed | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | ||||||
| Assignments | ||||||||||
| Essay | ||||||||||
| Presentation | ||||||||||
| Assignments | ||||||||||
Assignments are to be submitted, according to submission type specified 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
The course is delivered by weekly two-hour seminars. Attendance at the School of Music Seminars (Wednesdays, 1-2 pm) is also part of the course. Seminars involve active participation, with plenty of room for questions and discussion; the final three weeks of the course involve student presentations of the final assignment, in which the other students are also expected to participate with questions and comments. Frequently there a guest lecturer, who has been asked to adopt a seminar format, inviting discussion.
Workload Expectations
The breakdown of hours is as follows: 36 hours of seminars/Research Seminars (3 hours per week); 96 hours of reading (approx. 8 hours per week, on average, with the emphasis on preparing the essay); 18 hours preparing the final assignment. (150 hours in total).
Delivery Mode
Campus Experience or Online
This course is offered in two delivery modes:
Campus Experience
Attendance is required at scheduled seminars to complete components of the course.
Seminars will be available as recordings.
The course will include live online events including group discussions/tutorials.
The activities for the course are scheduled as a standard weekly timetable.
Online
Attendance is expected at scheduled online tutorials to complete components of the course.
Where possible, study material will be released progressively throughout the course.
This course runs to the University semester timetable and all the associated completion dates and deadlines will apply.
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.
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.