Students

MMCC1045 – The Creative Musician

2025 – Session 1, In person-scheduled-weekday, North Ryde

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff Co-convenor
Andrew Robson
andrew.robson@mq.edu.au
Contact via Email
10HA, HUB 191 (Downstairs), Room J
Appointment via email
Co-convenor
Diane Hughes
diane.hughes@mq.edu.au
Contact via Email
10HA, HUB 191 (Downstairs), Room D
Appointment via email
Credit points Credit points
10
Prerequisites Prerequisites
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description

Ever wondered how and why as human beings we universally create, listen and move to music? In this unit students are introduced to the universal role of rhythm as a means of measuring and managing time, and then explore how creative musical ideas are applied in practice. Students also create original musical projects, collaborate and perform elements of musical repertoire, and learn to conceptualise and analyse structural features of musical works. This unit encourages students to extend theoretical and practical knowledge of creativity into their own musical practice, including singing or their musical instrument of choice, or into other interdisciplinary creative forms. No prior knowledge of music is required.

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:

  • ULO1: identify, analyse and communicate rhythmic structures.
  • ULO2: evaluate and research a musical work that encompasses a range of creative practices.
  • ULO3: communicate and collaborate musically and creatively.
  • ULO4: reflect on learning and apply academic practices.
  • ULO5: analyse music texts and practices.

General Assessment Information

Assessment

1. Rubrics are used for all assessments and will be available on iLearn.

2. Assessment standards in this unit align with the University's grade descriptors.

3. A computer and Internet access are required. Music playback facility is also required.

Written and Performed Submissions

No songs or musical works that have been performed or analysed for assessments in other units may be used for assessment tasks in this unit.

Written components for assessment tasks must be submitted through Turnitin by the due date/time shown. 

Creative Work

The practical component of the Creative Work assessment will be individually scheduled during Week 11.

Assessment tasks

  • Due to copyright, no practical assessments may be recorded or posted to social media or any online platform.
  • Performances are to be from memory. That is, no reading of scripts (e.g., spoken introductions), lyrics or music.

Referencing Style

For all written work, students are required to use the APA 7th referencing style for all in-text referencing, reference lists and spoken introductions. This also includes references for recorded material as appropriate.

Please use the Library databases for your own research purposes and do not use Wikipedia as a reference.

Return of marked work

Work will be marked and returned with feedback in order for students to incorporate feedback in subsequent assessments.

Late Assessment Submission Penalty  

Unless a Special Consideration request has been submitted and approved, a 5% penalty (of the total possible mark) will be applied each day to late submissions, up until the 7th calendar day (including weekends). After the 7th day, a mark of ‘0’ (zero) will be awarded even if the assessment is submitted. Submission time for all written assessments is set at 11.55pm. A 1-hour grace period is provided to students who experience a technical issue. 

Important to note:

  • Late submission of time sensitive tasks (such as tests/exams, performance assessments/presentations, scheduled practical assessments/labs) will be addressed by the unit convenor in a Special consideration application.
  • Students should not request an informal arrangement from their tutor, lecturer or Unit Convenor (or equivalent).
  • Where an application for Special Consideration is approved and the outcome is an extension to the due date of a task, submissions that are received after the new due date will be subject to late penalties that are calculated from the new due date. This only applies where the outcome is an extension to the due date – see the Special Consideration Policy for a schedule of all possible outcomes.

 

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Quiz 15% No In class on 20/03/25 (Thurs Wk4)
Reflection on Musical Creativity 40% No 27/04/2025
Creative work 45% No In class on 22/05/25 (Thurs Wk11)

Quiz

Assessment Type 1: Quiz/Test
Indicative Time on Task 2: 15 hours
Due: In class on 20/03/25 (Thurs Wk4)
Weighting: 15%

 

Students will complete several tasks to demonstrate their understanding of core research skills. Refer to iLearn for further information.

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • reflect on learning and apply academic practices.
  • analyse music texts and practices.

Reflection on Musical Creativity

Assessment Type 1: Reflective Writing
Indicative Time on Task 2: 40 hours
Due: 27/04/2025
Weighting: 40%

 

This written task will involve in-class exercises and units readings. It will be referenced using APA referencing style. The task is to be submitted via Turnitin by the due date. Refer to iLearn for further information.

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • identify, analyse and communicate rhythmic structures.
  • evaluate and research a musical work that encompasses a range of creative practices.
  • reflect on learning and apply academic practices.
  • analyse music texts and practices.

Creative work

Assessment Type 1: Creative work
Indicative Time on Task 2: 35 hours
Due: In class on 22/05/25 (Thurs Wk11)
Weighting: 45%

 

You will create an original musical work as part of an ensemble. As part of your performance, you will be required to take part in a viva voce to detail the project and the ensemble’s creative process. Refer to iLearn for further information.

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • identify, analyse and communicate rhythmic structures.
  • communicate and collaborate musically and creatively.
  • reflect on learning and apply academic practices.

1 If you need help with your assignment, please contact:

  • the academic teaching staff in your unit for guidance in understanding or completing this type of assessment
  • the Writing Centre for academic skills support.

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

Lectures for this unit will be held in-person and commence in Week 1. Tutorials will commence in Week 1.

See MQ Publish for location information.

Readings 

  • Required readings are available through Leganto. 
  • Recommended readings will be listed on iLearn.

Individual Learning

  • Due to the practical and interactive components of this unit, students are responsible for attending weekly lectures and tutorials, reading the essential readings prior to attending weekly lectures, conducting individual research and progressively working on assessment tasks throughout the semester. Students therefore need to devise a progressive schedule that enables regular practice, research and consolidation of creative ideas as appropriate. 

Feedback

  • Formal and informal feedback will be delivered throughout the session.

Policies and Procedures

Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:

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

To find other policies relating to Teaching and Learning, visit Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au) and use the search tool.

Student Code of Conduct

Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/admin/other-resources/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 connect.mq.edu.au or if you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au

Academic Integrity

At Macquarie, we believe academic integrity – honesty, respect, trust, responsibility, fairness and courage – is at the core of learning, teaching and research. We recognise that meeting the expectations required to complete your assessments can be challenging. So, we offer you a range of resources and services to help you reach your potential, including free online writing and maths support, academic skills development and wellbeing consultations.

Student Support

Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/

Academic Success

Academic Success provides resources to develop your English language proficiency, academic writing, and communication skills.

The Library provides online and face to face support to help you find and use relevant information resources. 

Student Services and Support

Macquarie University offers a range of Student Support Services including:

Student Enquiries

Got a question? Ask us via the Service Connect Portal, or contact Service Connect.

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
14/02/2025 Updated contact details

Unit information based on version 2025.03 of the Handbook