This Honours course investigates contemporary theoretical approaches in music research. It focuses on developing conceptual tools for understanding the history, structure, and significance of music over time and across cultures. The course explores key issues in music research that have stimulated debate and reflection over time. It assists students to explore those issues, developing skills in critical analysis and music research design.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
- understand and evaluate a range of theoretical approaches in music research;
- apply theoretical approaches in their own research and writing;
- critically examine music from historical, contemporary, and cross-cultural contexts using discipline relevant vocabulary and tools for speaking and writing critically about music; and
- communicate and debate a range of themes, concepts and theories with peers.
Other Information
Recycling of material
Recycling “is the submission for assessment of work which, wholly or in large part, has been previously presented by the same student for another assessment, either at the Australian National University or elsewhere” (Code of Practice for Student Academic Integrity https://policies.anu.edu.au/ppl/document/ANUP_000392, paragraph 2). Students may include material that has been submitted for assessment in this course in THES4105 Thesis. Student may include in the exegesis material submitted for assessment in MUSI4402 if the following condition is met: a clear indication of the extent of the recycling is to be included in the first footnote.
Indicative Assessment
- Reflective Journal (30) [LO 1,2,3]
- Research Essay (40) [LO 1,2,3]
- Research Presentation (30) [LO 1,2,3,4]
The ANU uses 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. While the use of Turnitin is not mandatory, the ANU highly recommends Turnitin is used by both teaching staff and students. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website.
Workload
260 hours of total student learning time made up from:
a) 36 hours of contact over 12 weeks of seminars; and
b) 224 hours of independent student research, reading and writing.
Requisite and Incompatibility
Prescribed Texts
Available via Wattle
Fees
Tuition fees are for the academic year indicated at the top of the page.
Commonwealth Support (CSP) Students
If you have been offered a Commonwealth supported place, your fees are set by the Australian Government for each course. At ANU 1 EFTSL is 48 units (normally 8 x 6-unit courses). More information about your student contribution amount for each course at Fees.
- Student Contribution Band:
- 12
- Unit value:
- 12 units
If you are a domestic graduate coursework student with a Domestic Tuition Fee (DTF) place or international student you will be required to pay course tuition fees (see below). Course tuition fees are indexed annually. Further information for domestic and international students about tuition and other fees can be found at Fees.
Where there is a unit range displayed for this course, not all unit options below may be available.
| Units | EFTSL |
|---|---|
| 12.00 | 0.25000 |
Course fees
- Domestic fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2025 | $8040 |
- International fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2025 | $11160 |
Offerings, Dates and Class Summary Links
ANU utilises MyTimetable to enable students to view the timetable for their enrolled courses, browse, then self-allocate to small teaching activities / tutorials so they can better plan their time. Find out more on the Timetable webpage.
Class summaries, if available, can be accessed by clicking on the View link for the relevant class number.
First Semester
| Class number | Class start date | Last day to enrol | Census date | Class end date | Mode Of Delivery | Class Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4052 | 17 Feb 2025 | 24 Feb 2025 | 31 Mar 2025 | 23 May 2025 | In Person | View |