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Overview

Course Prescription

Foundational studies in music composition and sonic arts. Modular content includes: rhythm and form, timbre and texture, aesthetics and function, style and idea, material and manipulation, creative planning and processes and the composer in society. Students may complete Composition 1 and Composition 2 in any order.

Course Overview

This course aims to:

  •  Investigate and develop innovative approaches to compositional rudiments
  • Introduce extended technical practices for sonic exploration 
  • Interrogate artistic invention objectively (in the music of others) and subjectively (in one’s own music) 
  • Establish a language for effective communication of compositional and analytical concepts
  • Support the student to work with a high degree of self-directed learning and practice, and prepare a strong foundation for more independent graduate work
  • Work on the acquisition of skills required to be a professional composer with emphasis and awareness of global and local contemporary trends. 

Workload Expectations

This course is a standard 15-point course and students are expected to spend 10 hours per week involved in each 15 point course that they are enrolled in.

For this course, you can expect 40 hours of lectures, 4 hours of tutorial, 12 workshops, and 76 hours of work on assignments and/or test preparation, plus 18 hours of general reading, listening and concert and rehearsal attendance at School of Music and other events with a contemporary music focus as advertised during the semester.

Locations and Semesters Offered

LocationSemester
City

Teaching and Learning

Campus Experience

Attendance is expected at scheduled activities including tutorials to support key components of the course.

Lectures will be available as recordings only where university camera-equipped rooms are used. Other learning activities including tutorials and office hours will not be available as recordings.

The course will not include live online events including tutorials.

The activities for the course are scheduled as a standard weekly timetable.

Teaching and Learning Methods

Blended Lecture/Seminar/Lab work  

  •  Including twice weekly exploration and analysis of repertoire works that align or contrast with projects undertaken during semester, critical thinking and applied research practices
Group discussion
  • Present research findings, to question and feedback to lecturer and group, present and discuss formative assignments in class 
Literacy 
  • Written components on students research/creative work 
Tutorials 
  • Small group work and technical and conceptual feedback prior to project submission
  • Consultation in office time for individual or small group of students to seek additional or private counsel on projects

Learning Resources

Taught courses use a learning and collaboration tool called Canvas to provide students with learning materials including 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.

Additional Information on Learning Resources

All course readings are available via Reading Lists on Canvas, added week to week. Other Materials including scores and recordings also on Canvas and in class. A repertoire list for the entire composition area will be made available on Canvas.
Computer access for use of ProTools/Logic/Max: Students enrolled in MUS 111 will receive access to 250-215/216 (Composition Studios 1&2) during the hours of 7.30am-11.00pm weekdays and 8.00am-6.00pm weekends. Access cards should be automatically enabled by week 4 of semester. Students who experience difficulty with obtaining access to the composition studio should contact the NICAI Student Centre, Building 421, 26 Symonds St, Level 2. 
Computer access for use of Sibelius: Faculty computers are available both at the School of Music Composition Studio 2, 250-215, 6 Symonds St, and at the Kenneth Meyers Centre, 820-118, 74 Shortland St. Additional computers are located in the Architecture building 421, 26 Symonds St, Level 5, Room 521. 
Remember, save your work frequently and always back up!
 Use of Canvas is primarily for resources and submitting assignments. 

Copyright

The content and delivery of content in this course are protected by copyright. Material belonging to others may have been used in this course and copied by and solely for the educational purposes of the University under license.


You may copy the course content for the purposes of private study or research, but you may not upload onto any third-party site, make a further copy or sell, alter or further reproduce or distribute any part of the course content to another person.

Learning Continuity

In the event of an 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 course assessment continues to meet the principles of the University’s assessment policy. Some adjustments may need to be made in emergencies. You will be kept fully informed by your course co-ordinator/director, and if disruption occurs you should refer to the university website for information about how to proceed.

Other Information

Attendance: Due to the technical and creative nature of the course and the importance of listening and discussing in a group setting, it is not possible to understand and engage with the coursework requirements without regular attendance. It is expected that students will attend all lectures throughout the semester.

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 for potential plagiarism or other forms of academic misconduct, using computerised detection mechanisms.

Similarly, research students must meet the University’s expectations of good research practice. This requires:

  • Honesty - in all aspects of research work
  • Accountability - in the conduct of research
  • Professional courtesy and fairness – in working with others
  • Good stewardship – on behalf of others
  • Transparency – of research process and presentation of results
  • Clarity - communication to be understandable, explainable and accessible

For more information on the University’s expectations of academic integrity, please see the Academic Conduct section of the University policy hub.

Disclaimer

Elements of this outline may be subject to change. The latest information about taught courses is made available to enrolled students in Canvas.

Students may be asked to submit assessments digitally. The University reserves the right to conduct scheduled tests and examinations online or through the use of computers or other electronic devices. Where tests or examinations are conducted online remote invigilation arrangements may be used. In exceptional circumstances changes to elements of this course may be necessary at short notice. Students enrolled in this course will be informed of any such changes and the reasons for them, as soon as possible, through Canvas.


Assessment and Learning Outcomes

Course Learning Outcomes

CLO #OutcomeProgramme Capability Link
1
2
3
4

Assessments

Assessment TypeAssessment PercentageAssessment Classification

Additional Information on Assessment

Assignments are to be submitted, according to submission type specified on CANVAS, by the due date. If your ability to complete assessed coursework is affected by illness or other personal circumstances outside of your control, please complete an application for extension form at the following link:

https://www.forms.auckland.ac.nz/en/student/creative-arts-and-industries/te-whare-o-ng_-pkrero-poro---school-of-music-undergraduate-exten.html 

You must submit your extension application as early as possible before the assignment due date.

Late assignments that do not have an approved extension will be penalised 10% for each day or part thereof and will be automatically deducted on CANVAS. No assignment will be accepted after that assignment has been returned to students. 

Assessment to CLO Mapping

Assessment Type1234

Student Feedback, Support and Charter

Student Feedback

Feedback on taught courses is gathered from students at the end of each semester 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. In addition, class Representatives in each class can take feedback to the department and faculty staff-student consultative committees.

Additional Information on Student Feedback

Material covered in this course will be contextualised more clearly, both within the course and in the sequence of composition courses throughout the degree. 

Class representatives

Class representatives are students tasked with representing student issues to departments, faculties, and the wider university. If you have a complaint about this course, please contact your class rep who will know how to raise it in the right channels. See your departmental noticeboard for contact details for your class reps.

Tuākana

Tuākana is a multi-faceted programme for Māori and Pacific students providing topic specific tutorials, one-on-one sessions, test and exam preparation and more. Explore your options at Tuakana Learning Communities.

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.

Wellbeing

We all go through tough times during the semester, or see our friends struggling. There is lots of help out there - please see the Support Services page for information on support services in the University and the wider community.

Special Circumstances

If your ability to complete assessed work 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. This should be done as soon as possible and no later than seven days after the affected test or exam date.

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.

Student Academic Complaints and Disputes

Students with concerns about teaching including how a course is delivered, the resources provided, or supervision arrangements, have the right to express their concerns and seek resolution. The university encourages informal resolution where possible, as this is quicker and less stressful. For information on the informal and formal complaints processes, please refer to the Student Academic Complaints Statute in the Student Policies and Guidelines section of the Policy Hub.