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PSYU2250 – Psychology of Music

2020 – Session 1, Weekday attendance, North Ryde

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff
Bill Thompson
bill.thompson@mq.edu.au
Tutor
Pat O'Grady
pat.ogrady@mq.edu.au
Contact via email
Credit points Credit points
10
Prerequisites Prerequisites
40cp at 1000 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 social dimensions of music in everyday experience. The unit examines current psychological research on music, and explores the social significance of music in our world. By the end of the unit, students have an understanding of the cognitive and emotional implications of music, and have the 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. This unit is subject to a quota.

Important Academic Dates

Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://students.mq.edu.au/important-dates

Learning Outcomes

  • ULO1: Demonstrate knowledge of research findings and theories about foundational aspects of music psychology.
  • ULO2: Apply techniques of semiotics to understand the social and cultural significance of music.
  • ULO3: Competently use film and sound editing software, and develop skills of story-boarding, editing, and production as part of a creative project.

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
In class midterm Test 20% No Week 4
Final Examination 40% No Examination period
Group audio-visual project 30% No End of semester TBA
Reflective Writing piece 10% No End of semester TBA

In class midterm Test

Assessment Type 1: Quiz/Test
Indicative Time on Task 2: 6 hours
Due: Week 4
Weighting: 20%

Twenty multiple choice questions to be completed in 45 minutes in class
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Demonstrate knowledge of research findings and theories about foundational aspects of music psychology.
  • Apply techniques of semiotics to understand the social and cultural significance of music.

Final Examination

Assessment Type 1: Examination
Indicative Time on Task 2: 40 hours
Due: Examination period
Weighting: 40%

A two hour examination comprised of a one page written answer and thirty multiple choice questions.
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Demonstrate knowledge of research findings and theories about foundational aspects of music psychology.
  • Apply techniques of semiotics to understand the social and cultural significance of music.

Group audio-visual project

Assessment Type 1: Creative work
Indicative Time on Task 2: 15 hours
Due: End of semester TBA
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.
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Apply techniques of semiotics to understand the social and cultural significance of music.
  • Competently use film and sound editing software, and develop skills of story-boarding, editing, and production as part of a creative project.

Reflective Writing piece

Assessment Type 1: Reflective Writing
Indicative Time on Task 2: 15 hours
Due: End of semester TBA
Weighting: 10%

A 1000 word written assessment in which students will be required to reflect on the group project, and to identify the strengths and weaknesses of the group members. This is an individual piece of work.
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Demonstrate knowledge of research findings and theories about foundational aspects of music psychology.
  • Apply techniques of semiotics to understand the social and cultural significance of music.
  • Competently use film and sound editing software, and develop skills of story-boarding, editing, and production as part of a creative project.

1 If you need guidance or support to understand or complete this type of assessment, please contact the Learning Skills Team

2 Indicative time-on-task is an estimate of the time required for completion of the assessment task and is subject to individual variation

Delivery and Resources

n/a

Unit Schedule

See iLearn for the unit outline

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:

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 published on platform other than eStudent, (eg. iLearn, Coursera etc.) 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 or if you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@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 Enquiry Service

For all student enquiries, visit Student Connect at ask.mq.edu.au

If you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au

Equity 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.

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.

Changes since First Published

Date Description
24/02/2020 I removed the week by week list of topics, because these are posted on my iLearn space and I thought it would permit greater flexibility if I didn't also publish the weekly topics on iTeach.