Higher National Unit Specification General information Unit code: J00X 34 Superclass: LK Publication date: April 2018 Source: Scottish Qualifications Authority Version: 01 Unit purpose This unit is intended to give learners knowledge of a broad range of musical genres and then to provide the opportunity to study a record label and an artist in depth. This will be achieved through the research of the musical development of the genres in addition to broad study of the key artists within each genre. Learners will then be able to further develop their knowledge by studying, in more detail, the development of a selected record label and then an artist. The unit will appeal to learners studying HNC/HND Music, HNC/HND Music Business or HNC/HND Sound Production but can also be taken as a stand-alone unit. The unit provides learners with an ideal opportunity to develop and implement research and presentation skills. Outcomes On successful completion of the unit the learner will be able to: 1 Explain the musical development of a range of genres. 2 Explain the musical and business development of a selected record label. 3 Explain the development of a selected musical artist. Credit points and level 1 Higher National Unit credit at SCQF level 7: (8 SCQF credit points at SCQF level 7) J00X 34, 1
Higher National Unit Specification: General information (cont) Recommended entry to the unit While entry is at the discretion of the centre, learners would be recommended to have good communication skills. These may be demonstrated by the achievement of Core Skill Communication at Higher level or by possession of Higher English or a suitable NQ Communication unit (SCQF level 6). It would be beneficial if learners have undertaken F58M 12 Appreciation of Music unit. Core Skills Opportunities to develop aspects of Core Skills are highlighted in the support notes for this unit specification. There is no automatic certification of Core Skills or Core Skill components in this unit. Context for delivery If this unit is delivered as part of a group award, it is recommended that it should be taught and assessed within the subject area of the group award to which it contributes. This is a mandatory unit in the HNC/HND Music Business framework and an optional unit in the HNC/HND Music and HNC/HND Sound Production frameworks. The Assessment Support Pack (ASP) for this unit provides assessment and marking guidelines that exemplify the national standard for achievement. It is a valid, reliable and practicable assessment. Centres wishing to develop their own assessments should refer to the ASP to ensure a comparable standard. A list of existing ASPs is available to download from SQA s website (http://www.sqa.org.uk/sqa/46233.2769.html). Equality and inclusion This unit specification has been designed to ensure that there are no unnecessary barriers to learning or assessment. The individual needs of learners should be taken into account when planning learning experiences, selecting assessment methods or considering alternative evidence. Further advice can be found on our website www.sqa.org.uk/assessmentarrangements. J00X 34, 2
Higher National Unit Specification: Statement of standards Acceptable performance in this unit will be the satisfactory achievement of the standards set out in this part of the unit specification. All sections of the statement of standards are mandatory and cannot be altered without reference to SQA. Outcome 1 Explain the musical development of a range of genres. Knowledge and/or skills Chronology of genres Musical influences on genres Key musical features of genres Key musical artists within genres Outcome 2 Explain the musical and business development of a selected record label. Knowledge and/or skills Formation of selected record label Musical development of selected record label Business development of selected record label Stylistic features of selected record label Key releases of record label Influence of record label Outcome 3 Explain the development of a selected musical artist. Knowledge and/or skills Influences on the development of the artist Key musical features of artist Key musical works by artist J00X 34, 3
Higher National Unit Specification: Statement of standards (cont) Evidence requirements for this unit Learners will need to provide evidence to demonstrate their knowledge and/or skills across all outcomes by showing that they can: Outcome 1 Select three genres and for each: create a timeline for the development of the genre of music. The timeline will be over a span of at least three years, with brief phrases to identify at least seven key events, musical works and dates. explain at least three key musical influences on the development of the genre, providing an example for each influence. explain at least three key musical features of the genre. select three artists within the genre and for each briefly explain: their contribution to the genre, their key work within the genre and why the work is considered important. Written and/or oral evidence will be produced, at appropriate points during the unit, under open-book conditions. Outcome 2 For a selected record label: briefly explain: the stimulus for the formation of the record label, the timespan of the label, two key musical developments and two key business developments of the label. explain at least three stylistic features associated with the label. explain at least three key releases by the label and for each, briefly explain why the release is considered important. explain at least one political, economic, social or technological factor that influenced the record label. Written and/or oral evidence will be produced, at appropriate points during the unit, under open-book conditions. J00X 34, 4
Higher National Unit Specification: Statement of standards (cont) Outcome 3 For a selected artist: explain the influences on the development of the musical artist. At least three influences from the following list will be explained: political, economic, social, technological, cultural and musical. explain at least three key musical features in the artist s work and for each give an example of their use in the artist s work. explain the importance of three works by the artist. The importance of the work will be explained from at least one of the following perspectives: political, economic, social, technological, cultural and musical. Written and/or oral evidence will be produced, at appropriate points during the unit, under open-book conditions. The three outcomes of this unit may be assessed individually on an outcome by outcome basis or the outcomes may be assessed holistically by combining some, or all of the outcomes. J00X 34, 5
Higher National Unit Support Notes Unit support notes are offered as guidance and are not mandatory. While the exact time allocated to this unit is at the discretion of the centre, the notional design length is 40 hours. Guidance on the content and context for this unit This unit is designed to give learners knowledge of a broad range of musical genres and then provide the opportunity to study the musical output of a record label and an artist in some depth. The unit could provide opportunities to develop skills in research and presentation. Suitable texts for this unit will come from the range of online, print, audio and video resources on music history, genres and individual artists. Outcome 1 For three selected genres learners will create a timeline and include at least seven points on the timeline that outline the chronological development of the genre. The timeline should cover a period of at least three years, with brief phrases identifying key events, musical works and dates. Learners will then look at influences upon the genre. At least three influences will be covered and a specific example should be used in the explanation of each influence. Learners will then research three key musical features of the genre and provide examples of the occurrence of these features in musical works. Finally learners will research three key artists within the genre, highlighting key works by the artists. In the explanation of key musical features, only a brief explanation need be given. It is permissible for learners researching a period in classical music history to explain key composers instead of key artists. Outcome 2 Learners will look at record labels: the events that lead to their formation, the period of time that the label spanned, key business developments and key musical developments. A brief explanation of each of these factors is required. Learners will then research three stylistic features associated with the label. Examples of stylistic features may include, but not be limited to: clothes, artwork, videos, musical releases. For example, if studying Factory Records of Manchester, the artwork of Peter Saville would be a distinctive stylistic feature. J00X 34, 6
Higher National Unit Support Notes (cont) At least three key releases by the label will be researched and the importance of these key releases will be briefly explained by the learner. Finally, learners will look at the impact of the label, covering at least one of the following: political, economic, technological or social. Outcome 3 Learners will look at the influences on the development of an artist. For each factor that has influenced the artist, the learner will identify the sources of information used. Three key musical features of the artist s work will then be covered. Learners will provide examples, pinpointing the occurrence of these features in the artist s work. Finally learners will explain the importance of three works by the artist. Examples of musical works may include, but not be limited to: albums, singles, videos and live performances. Learners may study the work of a composer for this outcome. This unit provides underpinning knowledge and skills for Music Business: Graded Unit 1. Guidance on approaches to delivery of this unit The unit can be delivered primarily in a group/class context; however, varied approaches to learning and teaching can be explored. It is recommended the teaching and assessing of the unit is undertaken chronologically with genres being explored before more detailed research on labels and artists is undertaken. Possible delivery methods could include directed research (including use of books, magazines, blogs and websites), classroom activities (group work) and watching documentaries relating to a genre, label or artist. Topics for research and assessment may be provided by the tutor/assessor or negotiated with the learners. Tutors/assessors should ensure the genres, labels and artists chosen will provide sufficient scope to meet the evidence requirements. The tutor/assessor should ensure that genres selected are not too broad to allow useful study during a single outcome. For example, Jazz would be too broad a genre but a particular time period within Jazz would be more useful, eg Cool Jazz. Learning and teaching approaches should be varied and appropriate to the aims of the unit. J00X 34, 7
Higher National Unit Support Notes (cont) Guidance on approaches to assessment of this unit Evidence can be generated using different types of assessment. The following are suggestions only. There may be other methods that would be more suitable to learners. Centres are reminded that prior verification of centre-devised assessments would help to ensure that the national standard is being met. Where learners experience a range of assessment methods, this helps them to develop different skills that should be transferable to work or further and higher education. The three outcomes of this unit may be assessed individually on an outcome by outcome basis or the outcomes may be assessed holistically by combining some, or all of the outcomes. It is recommended that at least one outcome should be assessed by a presentation. Outcomes 2 and 3 particularly lend themselves to a presentation. Although a written report would be a suitable assessment method for Outcome 1, the outcome could be assessed by producing a grid of information for each genre only brief explanations are required for this outcome. Written and/or oral evidence will be produced, at appropriate points during the unit, under open-book conditions. Suitable texts for this outcome will come from the range of online, print, audio and video resources on music history, genres and individual artists. Opportunities for e-assessment E-assessment may be appropriate for some assessments in this unit. By e-assessment we mean assessment which is supported by Information and Communication Technology (ICT), such as e-testing or the use of e-portfolios or social software. Centres which wish to use e-assessment must ensure that the national standard is applied to all learner evidence and that conditions of assessment as specified in the evidence requirements are met, regardless of the mode of gathering evidence. The most up-to-date guidance on the use of e-assessment to support SQA s qualifications is available at www.sqa.org.uk/e-assessment. Opportunities for developing Core and other essential skills During this unit there will be opportunities for learners to develop aspects of Core Skills such as Communication and Information and Communication Technology (ICT). There is no automatic certification of Core Skills. J00X 34, 8
History of changes to unit Version Description of change Date Scottish Qualifications Authority 2018 This publication may be reproduced in whole or in part for educational purposes provided that no profit is derived from reproduction and that, if reproduced in part, the source is acknowledged. Additional copies of this unit specification can be purchased from the Scottish Qualifications Authority. Please contact the Business Development and Customer Support team, telephone 0303 333 0330. J00X 34, 9
General information for learners This section will help you decide whether this is the unit for you by explaining what the unit is about, what you should know or be able to do before you start, what you will need to do during the unit and opportunities for further learning and employment. This unit is designed to give you an overview of a range of music genres and deeper knowledge of the work of record labels and artists. You will be expected to undertake research to supplement information received in class and will be supported in your efforts to develop skills in research and presentation of information. The unit has three outcomes: 1 Explain the musical development of a range of genres. 2 Explain the musical and business development of a selected record label. 3 Explain the development of a selected musical artist. The unit is a mandatory unit in the HNC/HND Music Business framework. Assessment for Outcome 1 requires that you provide written and/or oral evidence explaining three musical genres and their distinctive characteristics. This will incorporate information about the chronological development, key events, musical influences on the genres, musical features, artists and their key works. Assessment for Outcome 2 requires that you provide written and/or oral evidence explaining the development of a record label, including the origin and timeframe of the label. This will include at least two musical developments and at least two business developments. You will then explain three stylistic features of the label, three key releases by the label before explaining the influence of the label. Assessment for Outcome 3 requires that you provide written and/or oral evidence explaining the development of a selected artist. Your explanation of the development of the artist should include influences on the artist, key musical features and the importance of three works by the artist. There will be opportunities for you to develop Core Skills such as Communication, and Information and Communication Technology (ICT). There is no automatic Core Skills certification for this unit. J00X 34, 10