Music and Digital Media is an interdisciplinary course focussing on the business, cultural context and scientific nature of the [inter]relationship between music and media. The course blends theoretical perspectives on digital music formats, production, consumption and dissemination with practical workshops on audio and music editing, sound recording and coding for online music and media platforms. Such is the evolutionary nature of music in the digital age that study topics may vary. Current course content includes: a short history of music and digitisation, intellectual property, copyright and ethics; massively collaborative online music production and distribution; case study analyses of music for gaming, music 'apps' and crowd funding for music projects; digital audio visual curation techniques; and, the 'place' of music in social networks, media players and blogs. Learning and teaching activities include lectures, tutorials, practical lab sessions and workshops. Students are assessed on a portfolio of practical work, to include: an individually constructed e-CV; a music current affairs podcast for public broadcast; and, a written essay on an individually negotiated topic
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
- understand the ethical implications of music, digitisation and media dissemination via a demonstrated understanding of intellectual property;
- execute a podcast recording on an appropriate topic suitable for public broadcast;
- design and construct a digital file integrating multimedia elements; and
- research and debate current issues surrounding music and digital media from a variety of interdisciplinary perspectives.
Staff Feedback
Students will be given feedback in the following forms in this course:
- written comments
- verbal comments
- feedback to whole class, groups, individuals, focus group etc
Student Feedback
ANU is committed to the demonstration of educational excellence and regularly seeks feedback from students. Students are encouraged to offer feedback directly to their Course Convener or through their College and Course representatives (if applicable). The feedback given in these surveys is anonymous and provides the Colleges, University Education Committee and Academic Board with opportunities to recognise excellent teaching, and opportunities for improvement. The Surveys and Evaluation website provides more information on student surveys at ANU and reports on the feedback provided on ANU courses.
Class Schedule
Week/Session | Summary of Activities | Assessment |
---|---|---|
1 | Course Introduction | Tutorial: Assessment overviews / Set Assessment 1 |
2 | A Short History of Music and Digitisation | Tutorial: class discussion |
3 | Music & The Internet | Tutorial: class discussion |
4 | Music & Streaming Platforms | Tutorial: Set Assessment 2 |
5 | Music & Social Media | Tutorial: Online e-CV workshop |
6 | Music, Video & Mashup Culture | Tutorial: Online e-CV workshop |
7 | Music & Podcasting | Tutorial: Set Assessment 3 |
8 | Music & Online Communities | Tutorial: Podcast workshop |
9 | Music & Crowdfunding | Tutorial: Podcast workshop |
10 | Music, Online (Re)Mixing & Production | Tutorial: Podcast workshop |
11 | Music, Fans & Engagement | Tutorial: Podcast workshop |
12 | Podcast Assessment - in-class playback | Tutorial: class review |
Tutorial Registration
See Wattle Tutorial Group links in the main MUSI3309 Wattle pane.
Assessment Summary
Assessment task | Value | Due Date | Return of assessment | Learning Outcomes |
---|---|---|---|---|
Assessment 1 - Individual Written Essay on Negotiated Topic | 20 % | 01/04/2021 | 22/04/2021 | 1, 4 |
e-CV with Integrated Multimedia Elements | 30 % | 16/04/2021 | 07/05/2021 | 3 |
Music Current Affairs Podcast | 50 % | 25/05/2021 | 01/06/2021 | 2,4 |
* If the Due Date and Return of Assessment date are blank, see the Assessment Tab for specific Assessment Task details
Policies
ANU has educational policies, procedures and guidelines, which are designed to ensure that staff and students are aware of the University’s academic standards, and implement them. Students are expected to have read the Academic Misconduct Rule before the commencement of their course. Other key policies and guidelines include:
- Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure
- Special Assessment Consideration Policy and General Information
- Student Surveys and Evaluations
- Deferred Examinations
- Student Complaint Resolution Policy and Procedure
Assessment Requirements
The ANU is using Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the Academic Integrity . In rare cases where online submission using Turnitin software is not technically possible; or where not using Turnitin software has been justified by the Course Convener and approved by the Associate Dean (Education) on the basis of the teaching model being employed; students shall submit assessment online via ‘Wattle’ outside of Turnitin, or failing that in hard copy, or through a combination of submission methods as approved by the Associate Dean (Education). The submission method is detailed below.
Moderation of Assessment
Marks that are allocated during Semester are to be considered provisional until formalised by the College examiners meeting at the end of each Semester. If appropriate, some moderation of marks might be applied prior to final results being released.
Assessment Task 1
Learning Outcomes: 1, 4
Assessment 1 - Individual Written Essay on Negotiated Topic
Students will research then complete a short, individually negotiated written project on a chosen music and digital media topic.
Examples of acceptable topics include:
- Digital music formats: artefacts (CD, DVD-Audio, SACD, DAT) or lossy/ lossless codecs (MP3, ATRAC, AAC, WAV, AIFF, WMA, ALAC)
- Streaming platforms including Spotify, Pandora, LastFM and issues of sound quality, advertising, revenue
- Media sites including YouTube, TikTok, Soundcloud
- Hi-res audio – Pono, TIDAL, DEEZER
- Mastering for web audio/ music, to include ‘mastering for iTunes’
- Crowdfunding/ Kickstarter/ Patreon case studies
- Music for gaming
- Music and social networking - Facebook, Instagram, Twitter
- Stem remixing, creative commons and remix competitions
- Digital music and sound archiving
• Word Length: 1500
• This assignment covers Learning Outcomes 1 and 4.
• Weighting: 20%
• Deadline: 1st April 2021
• Return of feedback: 22nd April 2021
Assessment Task 2
Learning Outcomes: 3
e-CV with Integrated Multimedia Elements
Students will design and construct an electronic CV utilising Wix, Wordpress, Weebly or other web-based software. The e-CV should include some, but not necessarily all, of the following:
- A biography, including music-related details
- Images
- Video
- Audio clips
- Integrated social network links
- Other links
The design should focus on ‘online identity’ with clear continuity between multimedia elements.
• Maximum pages - 4
• This assignment covers Learning Outcome 3.
• Weighting: 30%
• Deadline: 16th April 2021
• Return of feedback: 7th May 2021
Assessment Task 3
Learning Outcomes: 2,4
Music Current Affairs Podcast
In groups of no more than 5 (dependent on class numbers), students will author, direct, record and produce a 15-minute current affairs Podcast on a current music issue. Example subjects might be:
- The post-pandemic music industry
- Music, education and funding
- Live music events and ticketing
- Music and copyright
- Technology and consumption
- Digital music distribution
- Music streaming and revenue
The Podcast must contain a group discussion as the main content, featuring clear contributions from all group members.
Additionally, the discussion should be ‘book ended’ with a suitably programmed/ sampled piece of music and/ or jingle.
Group Podcasts will be collated into the ‘ANU School of Music Podcast Series’ for potential public broadcast (TBC).
• Podcast Length: 15 minutes
• This assignment covers Learning Outcomes 2 and 4.
• Weighting: 50%
• Deadline: Tuesday May 25th 2021 (in class Podcast playback - compulsory attendance)
• Return of feedback: Tuesday June 1st 2021
Academic Integrity
Academic integrity is a core part of the ANU culture as a community of scholars. At its heart, academic integrity is about behaving ethically, committing to honest and responsible scholarly practice and upholding these values with respect and fairness.
The ANU commits to assisting all members of our community to understand how to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support academic integrity. The ANU expects staff and students to be familiar with the academic integrity principle and Academic Misconduct Rule, uphold high standards of academic integrity and act ethically and honestly, to ensure the quality and value of the qualification that you will graduate with.
The Academic Misconduct Rule is in place to promote academic integrity and manage academic misconduct. Very minor breaches of the academic integrity principle may result in a reduction of marks of up to 10% of the total marks available for the assessment. The ANU offers a number of online and in person services to assist students with their assignments, examinations, and other learning activities. Visit the Academic Skills website for more information about academic integrity, your responsibilities and for assistance with your assignments, writing skills and study.
Online Submission
You will be required to electronically sign a declaration as part of the submission of your assignment. Please keep a copy of the assignment for your records. Unless an exemption has been approved by the Associate Dean (Education) submission must be through Turnitin.
Hardcopy Submission
For some forms of assessment (hand written assignments, art works, laboratory notes, etc.) hard copy submission is appropriate when approved by the Associate Dean (Education). Hard copy submissions must utilise the Assignment Cover Sheet. Please keep a copy of tasks completed for your records.
Late Submission
Individual assessment tasks may or may not allow for late submission. Policy regarding late submission is detailed below:
- Late submission not permitted. If submission of assessment tasks without an extension after the due date is not permitted, a mark of 0 will be awarded.
- Late submission permitted. Late submission of assessment tasks without an extension are penalised at the rate of 5% of the possible marks available per working day or part thereof. Late submission of assessment tasks is not accepted after 10 working days after the due date, or on or after the date specified in the course outline for the return of the assessment item. Late submission is not accepted for take-home examinations.
Referencing Requirements
Accepted academic practice for referencing sources that you use in presentations can be found via the links on the Wattle site, under the file named “ANU and College Policies, Program Information, Student Support Services and Assessment”. Alternatively, you can seek help through the Students Learning Development website.
Extensions and Penalties
Extensions and late submission of assessment pieces are covered by the Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure. Extensions may be granted for assessment pieces that are not examinations or take-home examinations. If you need an extension, you must request an extension in writing on or before the due date. If you have documented and appropriate medical evidence that demonstrates you were not able to request an extension on or before the due date, you may be able to request it after the due date.
Privacy Notice
The ANU has made a number of third party, online, databases available for students to use. Use of each online database is conditional on student end users first agreeing to the database licensor’s terms of service and/or privacy policy. Students should read these carefully. In some cases student end users will be required to register an account with the database licensor and submit personal information, including their: first name; last name; ANU email address; and other information.In cases where student end users are asked to submit ‘content’ to a database, such as an assignment or short answers, the database licensor may only use the student’s ‘content’ in accordance with the terms of service – including any (copyright) licence the student grants to the database licensor. Any personal information or content a student submits may be stored by the licensor, potentially offshore, and will be used to process the database service in accordance with the licensors terms of service and/or privacy policy.
If any student chooses not to agree to the database licensor’s terms of service or privacy policy, the student will not be able to access and use the database. In these circumstances students should contact their lecturer to enquire about alternative arrangements that are available.
Distribution of grades policy
Academic Quality Assurance Committee monitors the performance of students, including attrition, further study and employment rates and grade distribution, and College reports on quality assurance processes for assessment activities, including alignment with national and international disciplinary and interdisciplinary standards, as well as qualification type learning outcomes.
Since first semester 1994, ANU uses a grading scale for all courses. This grading scale is used by all academic areas of the University.
Support for students
The University offers students support through several different services. You may contact the services listed below directly or seek advice from your Course Convener, Student Administrators, or your College and Course representatives (if applicable).
- ANU Health, safety & wellbeing for medical services, counselling, mental health and spiritual support
- ANU Diversity and inclusion for students with a disability or ongoing or chronic illness
- ANU Dean of Students for confidential, impartial advice and help to resolve problems between students and the academic or administrative areas of the University
- ANU Academic Skills and Learning Centre supports you make your own decisions about how you learn and manage your workload.
- ANU Counselling Centre promotes, supports and enhances mental health and wellbeing within the University student community.
- ANUSA supports and represents undergraduate and ANU College students
- PARSA supports and represents postgraduate and research students
Convener
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Research InterestsMusic Technology, Sound Recording, Recorded Music |
Prof Samantha Bennett
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Instructor
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Research Interests |
Prof Samantha Bennett
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