This course offers an in-depth study of one specialised area of music, within the broader field of music histories and cultures. Through this specialised approach, students explore a particular genre, stylistic period, or set of practices in connection to a particular music historical period and cultural context. 

The course prioritises a diverse variety of materials including academic studies, audiovisual sources, and more informal writing styles, engendering a multifaceted view towards research-oriented musical documents and media. Students will gain insight into the various methodological approaches, theories, and key musical sources in connection to a set topic, which will be critically explored via a project. 

Students may complete this course twice for a maximum credit value of 12 units. Please note that the course content, assessment structure, and reading list will change depending on the topic and the expertise of the lecturer convening the course. Please refer to the class summary for the specific term in which you wish to enrol for a detailed description.

Topics may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Jazz History and Cultures of the World
• Evolving Narratives in Western Art Music 1700-1900
• Australian Composers 

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:

1. demonstrate a multi-faceted view of a musical genre, style, or topic in relation to broader cultural and historical contexts;
2. demonstrate a critical understanding of key themes, practices, and musicians within the course topic;
3. demonstrate both critical analytical and theoretical writing skills in connection with the course topic; and
4. clearly communicate research findings through oral, written, and other media.

Recommended Resources

Whether you are on campus or studying online, there are a variety of online platforms you will use to participate in your study program. These could include videos for lectures and other instruction, two-way video conferencing for interactive learning, email and other messaging tools for communication, interactive web apps for formative and collaborative activities, print and/or photo/scan for handwritten work and drawings, and home-based assessment.

ANU outlines recommended student system requirements to ensure you are able to participate fully in your learning. Other information is also available about the various Learning Platforms you may use.

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). Feedback can also be provided to Course Conveners and teachers via the Student Experience of Learning & Teaching (SELT) feedback program. SELT surveys are confidential and also provide the Colleges and ANU Executive with opportunities to recognise excellent teaching, and opportunities for improvement.

Class Schedule

Week/Session	Summary of Activities	Assessment
1	Jazz Foundations: New Orleans, Blues, Musical Theatre, and Tin Pan Alley
2	The Growth of a Global Jazz Network: Swing, Recordings, and Jazz Films
3	Jazz Dance: Charleston, Tango, and the Lindy Hop across the Black Atlantic
4	The Big Bands Encounter Europe and the World
5	Jazz Fusions and Jazz Festivals: Japan's Fusion to City Pop
6	Jazz and Popular Music Revivals in the late Twentieth Century
7	France’s Critical Jazz Networks: Le Jazz Hot and “Gypsy” Jazz
8	Manu Dibango and Afro-diasporic Soul Jazz
9	Jazz Nationalisms in Brazil and Bossa Nova
10	Australian Contemporary Jazz: 10-Part Invention
11	Viral Jazz: Jazz’s Global Networks and the Short Form Video
12	Final Project Presentations

Tutorial Registration

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.

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Due Date	Learning Outcomes
Text Review and Discussion Questions (25%)	25 %	23/05/2025	2,3,4
Course Participation: Verbal Presentation and Discussion Skills (25%)	25 %	28/03/2025	1,3,4
Oral Presentation (related to final project) - 10%	10 %	23/05/2025	2,4
Final Project (40%)	40 %	30/05/2025	1,2,3,4

* 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 Integrity Rule before the commencement of their course. Other key policies and guidelines include:

• Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
• Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure
• Extenuating Circumstances Application
• Student Surveys and Evaluations
• Deferred Examinations
• Student Complaint Resolution Policy and Procedure
• Code of practice for teaching and learning

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 Skills website. 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

Text Review and Discussion Questions (25%)

Assessment Description

The text review (individual assignment) is a 1 to 2-page summary (1.5 spacing, 12 point font) of one of the assigned readings for the weekly texts. The review is intended to develop your critical and analytic skills in a focused format and in relation to established and existing scholarship within the course theme. The review also enables the acquisition of knowledge about a particular case in relation to various research methods and established theoretical frameworks in studies of music history and culture. In your text review, you can address these questions: What were the main arguments, what methods and themes were presented, what disciplinary standards were evidenced, and what were the main conclusions? The text review is due the same day that you present your text in class. The text reviews will be presented during the tutorials by simply reading your text review and providing a few musical excepts (up to 15 minutes total). In addition to your review, compose and incorporate three questions which can be directed at your peers during the weekly tutorial. These questions can reflect the key arguments, ambiguities, applications, and cases illustrated in the text.

Assessment criteria

• Demonstrated ability to write in a clear manner, with an academic writing standard, and with a logical structure
• Demonstrated ability to sufficiently summarise the key arguments and objectives of the text
• Exhibited knowledge of the meaning and use of key concepts and theoretical frameworks in the text
• Exhibited knowledge of the the main methods and disciplinary boundaries of the text
• Demonstrated ability to offer useful critiques and suggestions for further research

Formal requirements:

Due date: Text review and questions must be posted to Turnitin the same day that the review is presented. Sign-up sheets are presented in week one for your text review.

Submission format: Submit via Turnitin in 12-point font, 1.5 spacing with a proper title, name, date and pagination as well as list of sources cited.

Assessment Task 2

Course Participation: Verbal Presentation and Discussion Skills (25%)

Assessment Description

This course stimulates the development of academic oral presentational and discussion skills, including the critical discussion and presentation of key arguments, cases, and musical periods presented in weekly lectures and readings. Each week we will focus upon different verbal discussion and presentation strategies for presenting one's ideas in an academic discussion and debate. These include discussion leadership roles such as posing key questions; respondent skills directed towards responding to peer's ideas; listening skills in stimulating open and inclusive discussions; and synthesising verbal skills in relaying an efficient and cogent explication of key arguments and concepts related to weekly texts and musical examples. During week 1, you choose a preferred topic from the 12 weekly themes during which to present an oral review of a text followed by the chairing of a discussion on this text during the tutorial (Assessment 1).

Assessment criteria

• Level of ability to contribute meaningfully and consistently to course discussions and debates in relation to weekly topics studied (musical genre, style, or topic within the broader cultural and historical contexts)
• Level of ability to respond meaningfully to peer discussions, presentations, and comments in relation to weekly course themes and topics
• Level of ability to prepare answers to weekly questions posted of assigned reading and study material
• Level of sensitivity to group discussion dynamics including peer listening, and constructive criticism as well as modes of inclusion and support (Keychange Initiative)

Assessment rubrics

These tasks associated with weekly participation in lectures and tutorials are assessed in the following manner, with an update of progress in week 6:

• HD 80-100: signifies that you engaged meaningfully and thoughtfully to weekly discussions revealing your exceptional knowledge of the texts and lecture materials and with answers prepared verbalised in relation to weekly study questions. 
• D 70-79: signifies your presence and acceptable participation in weekly discussions revealing thorough knowledge of the texts and lecture materials and with answers prepared to weekly study questions. 
• C 60-69: signifies acceptable presence and inconsistent participation in weekly discussions, revealing intermitant knowledge of the texts and lecture materials and sometimes providing answers to weekly study questions.
• P 50-59: signifies your acceptable presence and minimal participation in the discussion. 
• CRS 50: signifies your minimal presence and participation in the discussion. 
• N 0-49: signifies that no or little presence, participation nor discussion was observed.

Formal requirements

These tasks associated with weekly participation in lectures and tutorials are assessed in the following manner, with an update of progress in week 6 (12.5% of 25%).

Due Date: Week 6 and Week 12, March 28rd and May 23rd

Assessment Task 3

Oral Presentation (related to final project) - 10%

Students provide an overview of their research project in a 10-minute presentation in weeks 11 or 12. This presentation should include audiovisual or performance materials as well as an oral presentation with a provided script and set of slides or other audiovisual materials. The final presentation could take the form of presenting a prepared video essay or a performance workshop with materials researched for the final project. 

Assessment Criteria: 

• Demonstrated ability to make effective use of appropriate research resources and tools in the collection of sources directly relevant to the chosen research topic.
• Demonstrated breadth and depth of research in an appropriate, concise, and well-prepared presentation format.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively and smoothly incorporate effective audiovisual materials such as recordings, films, interviews, performance demonstrations, and scholarly sources into the final presentation format such as slides.
• Demonstrated execution of well-time presentation through a smooth execution of a spoken or read script (and possible performance excerpts).

Due Date: Week 11 or 12

Assessment Task 4

Final Project (40%)

Assessment Description:

Students write an analytical/critical research project that examines a chosen musical topic in a selected format (format approved by the Lecturer by the end of week 8). The research project should present a detailed in-depth examination of the chosen topic in relation to world jazz histories and cultures, which may include an analytical perspective (where relevant analytical techniques are applied) and/or a critical and contextual perspective (where relevant ideas, theories, and historical perspectives are applied). The assessment item is designed to draw new insights on a particular case, and as such, students may choose from two different research formats, based on their own interests. These are: 

1. Academic Essay 
2. 15-minute Video Essay (transcript must be included with references and a full bibliography) 

The final assessment project will contain a well-formatted bibliography in Chicago style and proper use of in text-citations (and or footnotes). Research and writing for the piece of writing in connection to this project will be supported through in-class and peer learning activities, in which students will be required to discuss their Analytical/Critical topic for formative feedback. The Analytical/Critical research project will also form the basis of an 5-minute graded oral presentation in tutorials during Weeks 11/12.

Assessment Criteria Essay:

• Demonstrated ability to formulate a concise topic (and title) that facilitates exploration and discussion of a specific aspect of jazz music histories and cultures (music, musicians, music making, music performance)
• Demonstrated ability to articulate, in written and/or oral form, a well-developed, cohesive, and substantiated research argument and associated critical analysis framework relevant to the chosen topic, supported through critical engagement with relevant academic and wide-ranging sources 
• Demonstrated ability to select appropriate methods and analytical approaches for a case-study driven research project
• Exhibited a sufficient quality of academic writing (vocabulary, tone, grammar, structure)
• Exhibited a sufficient quality of referencing and bibliographic entries (in Chicago style)

Assessment Criteria Video Presentation:

Please provide a transcript, title and list of sources for your video presentation/essay.

• All of the above plus
• Demonstrated ability to effectively use the chosen medium for core topics and main arguments (e.g. well-timed, interesting combination and presentation of integrated sources)

Formal Requirements

Due Date: week 13, May 30th with informal presentations of your final project will occur during the tutorials of week 12. You will have 5 minutes to introduce your topic and summarize a few key findings of your research project. 

Word limit for written component: 2500 words +/- 10% not including bibliography and notes

Value: 50%

Submission requirements: Uploaded to Turnitin with cover sheet, and formatted in Chicago style

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a core part of the ANU culture as a community of scholars. The University’s students are an integral part of that community. The academic integrity principle commits all students to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support, academic integrity, and to uphold this commitment by behaving honestly, responsibly and ethically, and with respect and fairness, in scholarly practice.

The University expects all staff and students to be familiar with the academic integrity principle, the Academic Integrity Rule 2021, the Policy: Student Academic Integrity and Procedure: Student Academic Integrity, and to uphold high standards of academic integrity to ensure the quality and value of our qualifications.

The Academic Integrity Rule 2021 is a legal document that the University uses to promote academic integrity, and manage breaches of the academic integrity principle. The Policy and Procedure support the Rule by outlining overarching principles, responsibilities and processes. The Academic Integrity Rule 2021 commences on 1 December 2021 and applies to courses commencing on or after that date, as well as to research conduct occurring on or after that date. Prior to this, the Academic Misconduct Rule 2015 applies.

 

The University commits to assisting all students to understand how to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support academic integrity. All coursework students must complete the online Academic Integrity Module (Epigeum), and Higher Degree Research (HDR) students are required to complete research integrity training. The Academic Integrity website provides information about services available to assist students with their assignments, examinations and other learning activities, as well as understanding and upholding academic integrity.

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 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

The Academic Skills website has information to assist you with your writing and assessments. The website includes information about Academic Integrity including referencing requirements for different disciplines. There is also information on Plagiarism and different ways to use source material. Any use of artificial intelligence must be properly referenced. Failure to properly cite use of Generative AI will be considered a breach of academic integrity.

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 Accessibility 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 supports you make your own decisions about how you learn and manage your workload.
• ANU Counselling promotes, supports and enhances mental health and wellbeing within the University student community.
• ANUSA supports and represents all ANU students