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Major Project

  • Module code: MU7012
  • Year: 2018/9
  • Level: 7
  • Credits: 60
  • Pre-requisites: None
  • Co-requisites: None

Summary

This module supports the development of a major piece of research, or creative work, or performance which is focused on the subject of the student’s programme of study. Therefore the nature of the project is chosen from the following: a dissertation; a folio of produced popular music compositions/covers; a folio of sonic arts work; a folio of compositions to moving image; a folio of compositions; or a performance. In the case of the creative work, students will also undertake related research which culminates in a paper or critical commentary to complement and support their creative work. The module is taught through a mixture of seminars and individual tutorials.

Aims

  • To produce a major piece of research or creative work focused on the relevant programme subject chosen from the following: dissertation; composition for moving image; music performance; composition; production of popular music; sonic arts work.
  • To develop professionalism in students’ research or creative work.
  • To further develop students’ planning, research and writing skills.
  • To further develop students’ critical skills.

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of the module, students will be able to:

  • produce research, or creative work or a recital,  of master’s quality;
  • to produce a critical commentary or related written research paper which supports the practical work where appropriate, or produce a research-based dissertation;
  • demonstrate an ability to plan the project, to be self critical, self-evaluating and able to respond positively to criticism and comment;
  • present their ideas both verbally and in written form in a clear, critical, and thoughtful manner;
  •  compile a comprehensively researched, relevant and clearly presented bibliography.

Curriculum content

  • The nature of the curriculum content is dependent upon the particular project that the student is undertaking, and will emerge in the discussions between the student and his/her supervisor.
  • Issues of research, planning, presentation and the management of the project will be covered in seminars and tutorials/instrumental lessons.
  • Students will present work in progress to their peers periodically for critical feedback and discussion.
  • The curriculum content flows from the emerging work of each student.

Teaching and learning strategy

The Teaching and Learning strategy is to support the students in their research and creative work through seminars, student presentation, individual tutorials and instrumental lessons (for performance students). Individual tutorials are designed to support the student’s independent guided study, and focus on the practical and research skills required for this process. The tutorials also provide regular and on-going support for the project, and focus the student’s independent guided study.

Breakdown of Teaching and Learning Hours

Definitive UNISTATS Category Indicative Description Hours
Scheduled learning and teaching Seminars (10 hours )and individual tutorials (3 hours) 13
Guided independent study (Students taking the music performance programme will also receive an additional 10 hours of instrumental lessons instead of part of their independent guided study) 587
Total (number of credits x 10) 600

Assessment strategy

The assessment strategy is designed to assess students’ ability to undertake an extended piece of research or creative work, or recital, and to be able to reflect critically upon this. The specific strategies vary depending upon the nature of the programme.

Sonic Arts Programme:

For fixed media submissions a folio of sonic arts work/s of approximately 15 minutes is expected. However this duration may be less for projects which demonstrate significant application of skill in programming or design (for instance electronic instrument building). Likewise a folio of longer duration may be submitted in order to realise a particular concept (e.g. site-specific or installation work). As such the exact duration and content of the submission should be negotiated and agreed in consultation with your supervisor. All work/s should be recorded and/or documented in an appropriate form (dependent on the nature of the folio) and submitted on CD or DVD. A complementary commentary and critical analysis of approximately 5000 words must also be submitted.

The folio of sonic art work has a weighting of 60%

The commentary has a weighting of 40%

Music Performance Programme:

A public recital or a conducted performance in any musical style of approximately 45 minutes, with a related research paper on aspects of performance which supports the recital of approximately 5000 words. The paper might deal with performance practice, editions, analysis and performance or other performance-related issues which must have a clear relationship to the recital.

The public recital has a weighting of 60%

The research paper has a weighting of 40%

Music Education or MA in Music programmes:

A dissertation of 15,000 words.

Composing for Film and TV Programme:

A DVD with approximately 15 minutes worth of composition to moving image with a written complementary critical commentary of approximately 5000 words. The music must also be submitted on CD and there must be full scores for the work. There must be an overarching theme or topic to the submitted work, but the creative work could consist of a number of shorter films or animations.

The composition folio (DVD, CD, Score) has a weighting of 60%

The critical commentary has a weighting of 40%

Production of Popular Music Programme

A CD or DVD with approximately 15 minutes of produced original compositions, or 30 minutes of produced cover versions, with a written complementary critical commentary of approximately 5000 words. A lead sheet for the compositions should be submitted.

The CD or DVD has a weighting of 60%

The critical commentary has a weighting of 40%

MA in Music programme

A composition folio of approximately 15 minutes which is recorded on a CD and must be submitted with the folio. A written complementary commentary of approximately 5000 words must also be submitted.

The composition folio has a weighting of 60%

The critical commentary has a weighting of 40%

Mapping of Learning Outcomes to Assessment Strategy (Indicative)

Learning Outcome Assessment Strategy
1) produce research, or creative work or a recital of master's quality; Submission of dissertation, or folio of creative work, or recital.
2) to produce a critical commentary or related written research paper which supports the practical work where appropriate, or produce a research-based dissertation; Submission of the critical commentary, or research paper, or dissertation.
3) demonstrate an ability to plan the project, to be self critical, self-evaluating and able to respond positively to criticism and comment; Summatively through the submission of the critical commentary, or research paper, or dissertation. Formatively in tutorials and seminars.
4) present their ideas both verbally and in written form in a clear, critical, and thoughtful manner; Summatively through the submission of the critical commentary, or research paper, or dissertation. Formatively in tutorials and seminars.
5) compile a comprehensively researched, relevant and clearly presented bibliography. Submission of the critical commentary, or research paper, or dissertation.

Elements of Assessment

Description of Assessment Definitive UNISTATS Categories Percentage
CWK Coursework 100
Total (to equal 100%) 100%

Achieving a pass

It IS a requirement that the major category of assessment is passed in order to achieve an overall pass for the module

Bibliography core texts

Herbert, T. (2001) Music in Words: A Guide to Researching and Writing about Music. London: Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music.

Bibliography recommended reading

This would depend upon the nature of the individual project and would be discussed with the tutor.

Cohen, L., Manion,L. & Morrison K. (2007) Research Methods in Education. 6th edn. Abingdon: Routledge.

Colwell, R. (ed.) (2006) MENC Handbook of Research Methodologies. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Cook, N. & Mark Everist (eds.) (1999)   Rethinking Music. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Lampsel, L (2008) Music Research: A Handbook. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Mounsey,C. (2002) Essays and Dissertations. Oxford: Oxford University Press.    

Phelps, R. P. et al. (2005) A Guide to Research in Music Education. Lanham: Scarecrow Press.

Wingell. R. (2002) Writing about Music: An Introductory Guide. New Jersey: Prentice Hall.

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