Students
MECO211 – Music and Arts Journalism
2017 – S2 Day
General Information
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| Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Kate Rossmanith
Y3A191F
TBA
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|---|---|
| Credit points |
Credit points
3
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| Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
15cp at 100 level or above
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| Corequisites |
Corequisites
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| Co-badged status |
Co-badged status
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| Unit description |
Unit description
We all know what we like, and what we don't like, but writing insightfully about the creative arts requires high levels of expressive skills and knowledge. In this unit students produce album, concert and event reviews and reports, and other forms of writing about the arts. Lectures examine a range of long and short form review and arts writing and criticism, across both print and broadcast media.
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Important Academic Dates
Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
- Identify and critique key issues raised in the production of music and arts journalism
- Develop creative arts journalism through in-depth relevant research using a variety of methodologies
- Apply unique methods of presenting research in writing for a general readership
- Construct and write stories yourself that fall into the broad category of music and arts journalism
Assessment Tasks
| Name | Weighting | Hurdle | Due |
|---|---|---|---|
| Writing Exercises | 10% | No | ongoing |
| Research Portfolio and Report | 25% | No | 29/09/17 |
| Online test | 25% | No | 24/10/17 |
| Final article | 40% | No | 07/11/17 |
Writing Exercises
Due: ongoing
Weighting: 10%
Writing Exercises
The weekly writing workshops are the practical core of this course, so it is essential that the writing exercises be done and brought along in suitable form each week. Each week’s exercise (numbering 5 in total) must be typed (double-spaced), and you must bring 8 copies to your tutorial for workshopping. A schedule of weekly exercises will be handed out in Week 1. Write approximately 200 words for each exercise.
Marking Criteria:
• Demonstrated ability to write grammatically correct sentences, following accepted English syntax and punctuation.
• Demonstrated ability to write vividly without using cliches, ‘showing’ not ‘telling’, and an awareness of nuances of meaning
• Evidence of having understood the set task
Submission: To be submitted via Turn-it-in by 10am on the following Tuesdays: 15 August, 22 August, 29 August, 10 October, 17 October. Students should also bring hard copies of their exercises to their tutorials.
Extensions: Extensions can only be granted by the unit convenor in line with university policy.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Apply unique methods of presenting research in writing for a general readership
- Construct and write stories yourself that fall into the broad category of music and arts journalism
Research Portfolio and Report
Due: 29/09/17
Weighting: 25%
Research Portfolio & Report
Task: Submit a research portfolio plus 600-word research report. Details of this assessment will be made available in Week 1.
Marking criteria:
• Demonstrated ability to conduct in-depth, relevant research using a variety of methodologies
• Demonstrated ability to synthesise this research by focusing on one or two key themes to have emerged from it
• Demonstrated ability to reflect on the relevance of such research to your proposed creative arts article
Submission: This assignment must be submitted via Turn-It-In by 11.59pm on Friday 29 September 2017.
Late Submission: A late penalty of 10% per day will be applied.
Extensions: Extensions will only be granted by the unit convenor in line with university policy.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Develop creative arts journalism through in-depth relevant research using a variety of methodologies
- Apply unique methods of presenting research in writing for a general readership
Online test
Due: 24/10/17
Weighting: 25%
Online Test
At the end of the semester you will be required to complete an online test which will be worth 25% of your overall mark. The test will take place during the Week 11 lecture time slot (Tuesday 24th October 2017 at 9am). Students will answer questions based on: the lecture content for the unit, and the unit readings. The test is designed to assist you in demonstrating your knowledge of the unit content as a whole. You will be given 1 hour in which to write your responses. You are strongly advised to complete all set readings and attend all lectures.
Failure to sit the in-lecture test will result in a mark of zero (0) for that test. If you miss a test due to a medical issue then you will be given the opportunity to sit the test at a later date. In such cases you must supply a medical certificate.
Marking Criteria:
• Demonstrated understanding of the question
• Demonstrated knowledge of lecture and reading materials
• Application of materials to set question
Submission: The test will take place online via iLearn.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Identify and critique key issues raised in the production of music and arts journalism
Final article
Due: 07/11/17
Weighting: 40%
Final Article
Your task it to write a 2000-word article suitable for publication in a newspaper, magazine, street press, zine, blog, website etc, or suitable to be read on a radio or television arts and culture-type program. This is not a university essay and does not require footnotes and bibliography. Further details of the essay assignment will be distributed in Week 1.
Marking Criteria:
• Demonstrated ability to write vividly without using cliches, ‘showing’ not ‘telling’, and an awareness of nuances of meaning
• Evidence of intellectual investigation
• Demonstrated ability to synthesise in-depth research into a compelling, well-structured story
• Evidence that the writer has taken creative risks, both in choice of research/writing topic, and in the writing itself
• Demonstrated ability to write grammatically correct sentences, following accepted English syntax and punctuation.
• Evidence of a ‘voice’ in the piece – a consistent, warm, trust-worthy sense of authority
Submission: Your final articles are to be submitted via Turn-It-In by 11.59pm onTuesday 7th November 2017.
Late submission: A late penalty of 10% per day will be applied.
Extensions: Extensions will only be granted by the unit convenor in line with university policy.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Develop creative arts journalism through in-depth relevant research using a variety of methodologies
- Apply unique methods of presenting research in writing for a general readership
- Construct and write stories yourself that fall into the broad category of music and arts journalism
Delivery and Resources
Lectures take place on Tuesdays at 9am in Y3A T1.
Lectures for this unit begin in Week 1. Tutorials commence in Week 2.
Technology used: iLearn
Required unit materials: the readings for this unit will be available on Macquarie University library's e-Resources.
To complete the unit satisfactorily, students must complete all assessment tasks and receive an overall pass grade for the unit.
Readings: (** is essential, * is recommended)
* Hickey, Dave (1997) Air Guitar, Santa Monica: Art Issues Press, pp. 146-154
* Malcolm, Janet (2014), ‘The Book Refuge’, The New Yorker, 23 June 2014
(http://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2014/06/23/the-book-refuge)
** Berry, Vanessa (2013) Ninety 9, Giramondo Press: Sydney, pp. 10-23
** Lucas Ihlein (2008) ‘At the Cemetery’, Bon Scott Blog (http://www.bonscottblog.com/2008/02/20/at-the-cemetery/ )
** Reel, Monte (2014) ‘The Brazilian bus magnate who’s buying up all the world’s vinyl records’, The New York Times, 8 August
** Wilcox, Lauren (2010) "Notes from a wedding: In the age of digital music and the relative bargain of a single DJ, wedding singer Kenney Holmes is determined to keep it real", The Washington Post, 7 February.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/01/29/AR2010012903475_pf.html
** Anderson, Sam (2012) "The World of Dickens, Complete with Pizza Hut", The New York Times Magazine, 7 February
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/12/magazine/dickens-world.html?_r=2&ref=magazine&pagewanted=all
* Freyne, Catherine (2014) "Where's the Night Gone?" Radio National, broadcast 13 July. (podcast)
http://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/hindsight/ravers/5582622
(direct link to audio) http://mpegmedia.abc.net.au/rn/podcast/2014/07/hht_20140713_1355.mp3
** Law, Benjamin (2013) ‘Eddie Perfect Unleashes the Beast’, The Monthly, October, pp. 24-29
** Capote, Truman (1957/2007) ‘The More Sensitive you are, the more certain you are to be brutalised’, The Guardian , 11 September 2007 (http://www.theguardian.com/ theguardian/2007/sep/11/greatinterviews)
** Kate Holden, ‘Behind the Scenes with Back to Back Theatre’, The Saturday Paper, Edition 128, 1-7 October 2016,
https://www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au/2016/10/01/behind-the-scenes-with-back-back-theatre/14752440003793
** Helen Garner, (2016) ‘In the Wings’, in Everywhere I Look, Melbourne: Text, pp. 218-227
**Owen, David (2006) "The Soundtrack of Your Life." The New Yorker April 10 http://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2006/04/10/the-soundtrack-of-your-life **Davies, Sally (2013) "Encounters with the Posthuman." Nautilus. 29 April http://nautil.us/issue/1/what-makes-you-so-special/encounters-with-the-posthuman **Atkinson, Frances (2012) "Bohemian Rhapsody." The Age 26 October. http://www.theage.com.au/entertainment/art-and-design/bohemian-rhapsody-20121026-28aoe.html
** Carl Wilson (2007), Celine Dion’s Let’s Talk About Love: A journey to the end of taste, Bloomsbury, pp. 1-10
** Anwen Crawford (2009) ‘The Monarch of Middlebrow’, Overland, Issue 197, Summer 2009
* Christgau, Robert (2005) ‘Writing about music is writing first’, Popular Music, Vol 24 (3): 415-421
* Crawford, Anwen (2015) ‘The World Needs Female Rock Critics’, The New Yorker, 26 May 2015
** Zinsser, William (1976/2001) On Writing Well, New York: Quill/Harper, pp. 55-67.
** Cheney, Theodor A Rees (1991) Writing Creative Non-Fiction, California: Ten Speed Press, pp. 9-32
* Dillard, Annie (2005) ‘Introduction: Notes for Young Writers’, in In Fact: The Best of Creative Nonfiction, edited by Lee Gutkind. W.W. Norton & Company pp. 8-14.
** Lucashenko, Melissa (2015) "Alec Doomadgee’s ascension to the Lakota Sun Dance ceremony." The Saturday Paper 29 August.
** Benham, Kelley. 2007. "Hearing Our Subject's Voices" in Kramer and Call (eds.) Telling True Stories: A Nonfiction Writers' Guide, p. 104-107.
Policies and Procedures
Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central. Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:
Academic Honesty Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/academic_honesty/policy.html
Assessment Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/assessment/policy_2016.html
Grade Appeal Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/gradeappeal/policy.html
Complaint Management Procedure for Students and Members of the Public http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/complaint_management/procedure.html
Disruption to Studies Policy (in effect until Dec 4th, 2017): http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/disruption_studies/policy.html
Special Consideration Policy (in effect from Dec 4th, 2017): https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policies/special-consideration
In addition, a number of other policies can be found in the Learning and Teaching Category of Policy Central.
Student Code of Conduct
Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/support/student_conduct/
Results
Results shown in iLearn, or released directly by your Unit Convenor, are not confirmed as they are subject to final approval by the University. Once approved, final results will be sent to your student email address and will be made available in eStudent. For more information visit ask.mq.edu.au.
Re-Marks: The in-session re-mark application form is available at http://www.mq.edu.au/pubstatic/public/download/?id=167914
Student Support
Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/
Learning Skills
Learning Skills (mq.edu.au/learningskills) provides academic writing resources and study strategies to improve your marks and take control of your study.
Student Services and Support
Students with a disability are encouraged to contact the Disability Service who can provide appropriate help with any issues that arise during their studies.
Student Enquiries
For all student enquiries, visit Student Connect at ask.mq.edu.au
IT Help
For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://www.mq.edu.au/about_us/offices_and_units/information_technology/help/.
When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use of IT Resources Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.
Graduate Capabilities
Creative and Innovative
Our graduates will also be capable of creative thinking and of creating knowledge. They will be imaginative and open to experience and capable of innovation at work and in the community. We want them to be engaged in applying their critical, creative thinking.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcomes
- Apply unique methods of presenting research in writing for a general readership
- Construct and write stories yourself that fall into the broad category of music and arts journalism
Assessment tasks
- Writing Exercises
- Final article
Discipline Specific Knowledge and Skills
Our graduates will take with them the intellectual development, depth and breadth of knowledge, scholarly understanding, and specific subject content in their chosen fields to make them competent and confident in their subject or profession. They will be able to demonstrate, where relevant, professional technical competence and meet professional standards. They will be able to articulate the structure of knowledge of their discipline, be able to adapt discipline-specific knowledge to novel situations, and be able to contribute from their discipline to inter-disciplinary solutions to problems.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcomes
- Identify and critique key issues raised in the production of music and arts journalism
- Develop creative arts journalism through in-depth relevant research using a variety of methodologies
- Apply unique methods of presenting research in writing for a general readership
- Construct and write stories yourself that fall into the broad category of music and arts journalism
Assessment tasks
- Writing Exercises
- Research Portfolio and Report
- Online test
- Final article
Critical, Analytical and Integrative Thinking
We want our graduates to be capable of reasoning, questioning and analysing, and to integrate and synthesise learning and knowledge from a range of sources and environments; to be able to critique constraints, assumptions and limitations; to be able to think independently and systemically in relation to scholarly activity, in the workplace, and in the world. We want them to have a level of scientific and information technology literacy.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcome
- Identify and critique key issues raised in the production of music and arts journalism
Assessment task
- Online test
Problem Solving and Research Capability
Our graduates should be capable of researching; of analysing, and interpreting and assessing data and information in various forms; of drawing connections across fields of knowledge; and they should be able to relate their knowledge to complex situations at work or in the world, in order to diagnose and solve problems. We want them to have the confidence to take the initiative in doing so, within an awareness of their own limitations.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcome
- Develop creative arts journalism through in-depth relevant research using a variety of methodologies
Assessment task
- Research Portfolio and Report
Effective Communication
We want to develop in our students the ability to communicate and convey their views in forms effective with different audiences. We want our graduates to take with them the capability to read, listen, question, gather and evaluate information resources in a variety of formats, assess, write clearly, speak effectively, and to use visual communication and communication technologies as appropriate.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcomes
- Identify and critique key issues raised in the production of music and arts journalism
- Develop creative arts journalism through in-depth relevant research using a variety of methodologies
- Apply unique methods of presenting research in writing for a general readership
- Construct and write stories yourself that fall into the broad category of music and arts journalism
Assessment tasks
- Writing Exercises
- Research Portfolio and Report
- Online test
- Final article