Students

PSY 250 – Music, Mind and Message

2018 – S1 Day

General Information

Download as PDF
Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff
Bill Thompson
Tutor
Aydin Anic
Contact via email
Lecturer
Kirk Olsen
Contact via email
Lecturer
Robina Day
Contact via email
Administration
Novello Alday
tutor
Pat O'Grady
Credit points Credit points
3
Prerequisites Prerequisites
24cp at 100 level or above
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description
The music industry is among the largest worldwide, and music is a pervasive part of our lives. We turn on music while driving, we listen to music at parties, bars and restaurants. We dance to music, shop to music, sing in the shower, and attend concerts. Yet the psychological and social significance of this aspect of our lives is not widely understood. The goal of this unit is to expose students to the psychological and semiotic dimensions of music in everyday experience. The unit examines current psychological research on music, and explores the social significance of music using a semiotic approach. By the end of the unit, students have an understanding of the cognitive and emotional implications of music, and have the semiotic skills to critically analyse the layers of significance associated with a range of musical genres, from hip-hop and heavy metal, to opera and chamber music.

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:

  • By the end of this unit student will be able to demonstrate knowledge of research findings and theories about foundational aspects of music psychology
  • By the end of this unit student will be able to apply techniques of semiotics to understand the social and cultural significance of music
  • By the end of this unit student will be competent at using film and sound editing software, and will develop skills of story-boarding, editing, and production as part of their creative project

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Midterm test 20% No Week 4
Group audio-visual project 30% No Week 13 or as announced
Write-up of group project 10% No Week 13 or as announced
Final examination 40% No Examination period

Midterm test

Due: Week 4
Weighting: 20%

The midterm test is a 45-minute multiple-choice examination with 20 questions that will be held in class during week 4 (March 21). The test assesses your understanding of lecture topics and reading materials in weeks 1-3 only, providing a low-risk means of evaluating your potential early in the course.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • By the end of this unit student will be able to demonstrate knowledge of research findings and theories about foundational aspects of music psychology
  • By the end of this unit student will be able to apply techniques of semiotics to understand the social and cultural significance of music

Group audio-visual project

Due: Week 13 or as announced
Weighting: 30%

The Group Project provides students with an opportunity to apply skills and knowledge they have gained in the unit in a creative group task. Each student is assigned a particular role within the group and is marked for their contribution in that role. The project is due week 13 or as announced by the tutor. If there is a problem with your group that may affect your project, it is your responsibility to report the problem in writing to the tutor as soon as you are aware of the issue, and at least several weeks before the project is due. 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • By the end of this unit student will be able to apply techniques of semiotics to understand the social and cultural significance of music
  • By the end of this unit student will be competent at using film and sound editing software, and will develop skills of story-boarding, editing, and production as part of their creative project

Write-up of group project

Due: Week 13 or as announced
Weighting: 10%

This 1000 word assessment task provides students with the opportunity to reflect on their group project, to identify strengths and weakness of group members. Although the audio-visual project is completed in groups, the write up must be your own individual work. The final completed write-up is due in week 13 or as announced by your tutor. You are advised to make some contributions to the write-up each week.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • By the end of this unit student will be able to apply techniques of semiotics to understand the social and cultural significance of music

Final examination

Due: Examination period
Weighting: 40%

A two-hour examination comprised of short-answer and multiple-choice answer questions. The examination provides students with the opportunity to demonstrate their breath of knowledge. All unit material is examinable. It provides a final summative assessment of the students’ understanding of unit content and their ability to apply that knowledge.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • By the end of this unit student will be able to demonstrate knowledge of research findings and theories about foundational aspects of music psychology
  • By the end of this unit student will be able to apply techniques of semiotics to understand the social and cultural significance of music

Delivery and Resources

Lecture and Practicals

• Lectures are held weekly starting on Week 1 on Wednesdays 2-4 pm in room 320, 4 Western Road, and are live streamed. Lecture recordings are available via Echo360/iLearn.

• You will need access to the internet for accessing the iLearn PSY250 unit homepage, lecture recordings (Echo360), and any online submission of the written assignment. Please refer to the iLearn PSY250 unit homepage for updates.

• Practicals (= tutorials) are 1 hour duration and held every week starting on Week 1, Y3A Room 223. Tutorials are compulsory. If you have an emergency and cannot attend one or more of the tutorials, contact the Tutor, Aydin Anic (aydin.anic@students.mq.edu.au)

Textbook: Required reading

• Thompson, W.F. (2014). Music, Thought, and Feeling: Understanding the Psychology of Music. 2nd edition, New York: Oxford University Press.

• The textbook is available from the bookstore. Some copies of the textbook will also be made available for short-term loan from the library.

• Only selected chapters or sections of chapters will be examined. The page numbers that you are responsible for reading will be posted on Learn.

• Required readings that are not contained in the textbook will be posted on iLearn

• You are responsible for all required readings in the textbook or posted on iLean, as any of this material may be covered on the midterm and final examination. 

Unit Schedule

Lecture

Date

Topic

Reading

1       

February 28

Tutorials begin

Introduction & evolutionary origins of music

Textbook: Chapter 2

2       

March 7

 

Music perception and memory

Textbook: sections from Chapters 3 & 4

3       

March 14

Using semiotics to understand music

Lectures notes to be posted

4

March 21

Midterm test on weeks 1 - 3

 

5

March 28

Understanding musical signs

Lectures notes to be posted

6

April 4

Music in childhood development

Textbook: sections from Chapter 5

-

April 11

Music and emotion part 1

Textbook:  Chapter 7

-

April 18

Break: No classes

No classes

7

April 25

Break: No classes

No classes

8

May 2

Music and emotion part 2

Textbook:  Chapter 7

9

May 9

Music and wellbeing

Textbook: Chapter 8

10

May 16

Music and violence

Chapter 8 + notes to be posted

11

May 23

Music performance

Textbook:  sections from Chapter 9 + readings

12

May 30

Music and other abilities

Textbook: Chapter 11

13

June 6

Overview

No reading assigned

Policies and Procedures

Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policy-central). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:

Undergraduate students seeking more policy resources can visit the Student Policy Gateway (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/student-policy-gateway). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.

If you would like to see all the policies relevant to Learning and Teaching visit Policy Central (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/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/study/getting-started/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.

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

  • By the end of this unit student will be able to apply techniques of semiotics to understand the social and cultural significance of music
  • By the end of this unit student will be competent at using film and sound editing software, and will develop skills of story-boarding, editing, and production as part of their creative project

Assessment tasks

  • Group audio-visual project
  • Write-up of group project

Capable of Professional and Personal Judgement and Initiative

We want our graduates to have emotional intelligence and sound interpersonal skills and to demonstrate discernment and common sense in their professional and personal judgement. They will exercise initiative as needed. They will be capable of risk assessment, and be able to handle ambiguity and complexity, enabling them to be adaptable in diverse and changing environments.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • By the end of this unit student will be able to apply techniques of semiotics to understand the social and cultural significance of music
  • By the end of this unit student will be competent at using film and sound editing software, and will develop skills of story-boarding, editing, and production as part of their creative project

Assessment task

  • Group audio-visual project

Commitment to Continuous Learning

Our graduates will have enquiring minds and a literate curiosity which will lead them to pursue knowledge for its own sake. They will continue to pursue learning in their careers and as they participate in the world. They will be capable of reflecting on their experiences and relationships with others and the environment, learning from them, and growing - personally, professionally and socially.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • By the end of this unit student will be able to demonstrate knowledge of research findings and theories about foundational aspects of music psychology
  • By the end of this unit student will be able to apply techniques of semiotics to understand the social and cultural significance of music
  • By the end of this unit student will be competent at using film and sound editing software, and will develop skills of story-boarding, editing, and production as part of their creative project

Assessment tasks

  • Midterm test
  • Group audio-visual project
  • Final examination

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

  • By the end of this unit student will be able to demonstrate knowledge of research findings and theories about foundational aspects of music psychology
  • By the end of this unit student will be able to apply techniques of semiotics to understand the social and cultural significance of music
  • By the end of this unit student will be competent at using film and sound editing software, and will develop skills of story-boarding, editing, and production as part of their creative project

Assessment tasks

  • Midterm test
  • Final examination

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 outcomes

  • By the end of this unit student will be able to demonstrate knowledge of research findings and theories about foundational aspects of music psychology
  • By the end of this unit student will be able to apply techniques of semiotics to understand the social and cultural significance of music

Assessment tasks

  • Midterm test
  • Write-up of group project
  • Final examination

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

  • By the end of this unit student will be able to demonstrate knowledge of research findings and theories about foundational aspects of music psychology

Assessment tasks

  • Midterm test
  • Final examination

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

  • By the end of this unit student will be able to apply techniques of semiotics to understand the social and cultural significance of music
  • By the end of this unit student will be competent at using film and sound editing software, and will develop skills of story-boarding, editing, and production as part of their creative project

Assessment tasks

  • Group audio-visual project
  • Write-up of group project

Engaged and Ethical Local and Global citizens

As local citizens our graduates will be aware of indigenous perspectives and of the nation's historical context. They will be engaged with the challenges of contemporary society and with knowledge and ideas. We want our graduates to have respect for diversity, to be open-minded, sensitive to others and inclusive, and to be open to other cultures and perspectives: they should have a level of cultural literacy. Our graduates should be aware of disadvantage and social justice, and be willing to participate to help create a wiser and better society.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcome

  • By the end of this unit student will be able to apply techniques of semiotics to understand the social and cultural significance of music

Assessment task

  • Group audio-visual project

Socially and Environmentally Active and Responsible

We want our graduates to be aware of and have respect for self and others; to be able to work with others as a leader and a team player; to have a sense of connectedness with others and country; and to have a sense of mutual obligation. Our graduates should be informed and active participants in moving society towards sustainability.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • By the end of this unit student will be able to apply techniques of semiotics to understand the social and cultural significance of music
  • By the end of this unit student will be competent at using film and sound editing software, and will develop skills of story-boarding, editing, and production as part of their creative project

Assessment task

  • Group audio-visual project

Changes since First Published

Date Description
27/02/2018 The main tutor, Patrick O'Grady, was added