Unit Outline Unit code: HEJ335 Unit title: Media and Music Weight 12.5% Requisite Information Prereq HEJ110 and HEJ120 or HEJ 101 and HEJ102 Teaching Period(s) and Year Semester 2, 2014 Coordinator Kathleen Williams Room 539, School of Social Sciences Email: kathleen.williams@utas.edu.au Phone: 03 6226 2903 Student Consultation Times Tuesday 3-4pm, Thursday 2-4pm. Description This unit explores the music industry at a time of significant change. It considers the ways in which the music industry s focus is no longer on the sale of recorded music to consumers but on the licensing of music for film, television, advertising, video games and digital media. The unit equips students with advanced skills in media analysis and practice, and includes a practical component focused on professional music writing to further understand students critical understanding of the links between music and media. Rationale This unit builds upon your existing knowledge of key media industries and practices. By focusing on music (as media object, industry and practice), you will gain an understanding of the complexities of the music industry and the dynamic role between music and other media forms. This unit provides you with the opportunity to build upon your journalistic experience and existing critical analysis skills. Intended learning outcomes To successfully complete this unit, you will demonstrate your ability to: 1. Describe, explain and analyse the main industrial, institutional and cultural contexts within which music functions in local and global media industries; 2. Demonstrate practical skills in music journalism and related forms of professional music writing; 3. Critically assess and evaluate your own writing practices; 4. Synthesise and evaluate debates surrounding the role of music within contemporary media industries. Page 1
Content Content covered during this unit will take into consideration major debates and questions surrounding the music industry, as well as looking to how the music engages with various media forms. It explores music as an integral component of a range of media, including broadcast media, digital media technologies and film, and develops your understanding of music as both a cultural resource and a key media industry. Topics covered in this course include film and music, digital media and music, how music is used in advertising, copyright, and the music media. It will also include a practical component focused on music journalism and other forms of professional music writing to further students critical understanding of the links between music and media. A content schedule will be posted to the unit s MyLO page at the start of the semester. Approaches to learning and teaching Similar to the work covered in your core JMC subjects, this unit will encourage you to analyse how music and media engage with one another. This unit uses a theory-to-practice approach, with 50% of class assessment allowing you to develop your music journalism practice. Communication skills will be developed through written assignments, and development of professional skills such as interviewing and group workshopping. This unit provides you with a global perspective on the music industry through an analysis of industries and texts from a range of contexts. This unit will equip you with a working knowledge of the ethical and professional contexts of music journalism practice. This unit adopts a blended learning approach, which includes a 90 minute lecture and a 1 hour face-to-face tutorial, where you will engage with peers. This unit also requires access to MyLO for access to your readings, lecture notes, and other supplementary material. It is expected that you attend all lectures and tutorials, and that you complete each week s readings. Page 2
Assessment Feedback This course will provide you feedback in the following ways: In class formative exercises that allow you further explore concepts covered in the weekly readings and lectures Comments on your assessment work in addition to criteria sheets Generic comments will be given back to the cohort via MyLO Assessment details Assessment Task 1 Media industry analysis Task description Choose a contemporary example of synergy and/or convergence involving music in a media industry of your choice. Question: How does music operate as an economic and cultural resource in your chosen example? In developing an argument in relation to this research question, you should address the industry, economic and cultural factors that underpin contemporary (and, if relevant, historical) music production, circulation and promotion. You should structure your response in an essay format, using relevant academic and industry sources, and specific and relevant examples from your chosen case study. Examples of possible case studies will be introduced in lectures from Weeks 3-7. Task length Links to Intended Learning Outcomes Assessment criteria Percent weighting Due date 2500 words 1, 4 40% - Identification of an appropriate example of synergy and/or convergence in a relevant media industry - Quality of analysis, including knowledge and application of relevant theory, concepts and industry contexts - Effectiveness and appropriateness of evidence provided from chosen case study - Ability to support analysis with evidence drawn from relevant scholarly and industry literature - Clarity and strength of argument - Clarity and effectiveness of written expression - Correctness and consistency of Harvard referencing style Monday 8 th of September, by 4pm Page 3
Assessment Task 2 Task description Music journalism portfolio and exegesis Prepare a portfolio of music journalism work, comprising one or more pieces in the following formats: CD review Live review Artist profile Bio Any other relevant format arranged in consultation with the unit coordinator Your portfolio can comprise any combination of these formats (i.e. you do not need to include all of these formats, and can include more than one piece in the same format). Your portfolio should not exceed 2000 words. Each piece should include a statement of publication context: i.e. in what publication would this work likely appear (e.g. Rolling Stone, The Age, Brag, etc) Notes on the Music Journalism Formats: Exegesis: If choosing to write a CD review, this can include any form of recorded music (e.g. album, single, EP) so long as this form is appropriate for the chosen publication context. If choosing to write a live review, this must be of a live musical performance (of any style or genre) that occurred between Weeks 1 and 14 of the unit. If choosing to write an artist profile, this must be based on an interview with a musician or other relevant person involved in the music industry. If choosing to write a bio, this must be written for a currently active band/artist (at the time of undertaking this unit), and must be written in consultation with the musicians concerned. Question: Describe and analyse the ways in which the piece(s) of music journalism in your Portfolio are suitable for their publication context(s). Your exegesis should be at least 1000 words. The exegesis should demonstrate clear knowledge of your chosen publication context(s), and should situate your piece(s) of music journalism within the context of professional music journalism and/or other relevant professional music writing practices. It must be written in the style of an academic essay, and should contextualise your own authorial choices in the journalism piece(s) within the broader principles, practices and conventions of music writing that are addressed in the unit. Note: The Music Journalism Portfolio and Exegesis should total 3000 words; the Music Journalism Portfolio cannot exceed 2000 words, and the Exegesis must be a minimum of 1000 words. Task length Links to Intended Learning Outcomes Assessment criteria 3000 words 2, 3, 4 Music Journalism Portfolio: Effectiveness of application of principles, practices and conventions of professional music writing, relevant to the style(s) of writing chosen (i.e. live review, artist profile, bio) Clarity and effectiveness of the written expression, including Page 4
appropriateness of language use, and accuracy of grammar, spelling and punctuation Appropriateness of publication context(s) Exegesis: Effectiveness of analysis of the broader contexts, conventions and practices of professional music writing, as relevant both to the style(s) of writing chosen (i.e. CD review, live review, artist profile, bio) and to the publication context(s) selected Ability to support analysis with evidence drawn from relevant scholarly literature The extent to which the exegesis is presented in the style of an academic essay, including appropriateness of structure and written expression, and the correctness of Harvard referencing style Percent weighting Due date 60% Monday, 27 th of October by 4pm. For more information about assignment submission, including applying for an extension and penalties for late submission please see http://www.utas.edu.au/arts/quick-links/current-students/assignment-submission Resource materials Required resources: The weekly readings will be available via MyLO. It is required that you complete these readings prior to the weekly tutorial. Recommended resources: The MyLO site will also provide you with recommended sources such as clips, documentaries, and music journalism pieces. These are designed to assist you with preparing for each of your assessments. Page 5