PERF 2020 Popular Music Communities

This is an archived copy of the 2021-2022 catalog. To access the most recent version of the catalog, please visit https://hbook.westernsydney.edu.au.

Credit Points 10

Legacy Code 102281

Coordinator John Encarnacao Opens in new window

Description Music is a means through which people create, socialise, consume, disseminate information, engage in power relationships, and agitate for political and social change. People form communities from their shared musical tastes and interests, and hierarchies are formed around particular kinds of music. Music can symbolise and facilitate solidarity, and expresses identity in ways that transcend physical boundaries. This unit examines popular music communities in a variety of contexts, from the local to the global to the virtual. It explores the functions and uses of music that commonly inform human activity, while also considering how these functions and uses have been articulated through recent changes in technology.

School Humanities & Comm Arts

Discipline Music

Student Contribution Band HECS Band 2 10cp

Check your HECS Band contribution amount via the Fees page.

Level Undergraduate Level 2 subject

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this subject, students should be able to:
  1. Define key concepts and discussions involving the relationships between popular music and community, genre, technology, and power.
  2. Analyse the impact of music communities on the music industry.
  3. Evaluate the influence of music communities on political movements.
  4. Assess the relationships between musical genres and formations of community.
  5. Evaluate the impact of changing technology on the production, distribution and consumption of popular musics.
  6. Interpret, communicate and present ideas and arguments in written and oral modes.
  7. Those attending Art of Sound will be able to: participate in and contribute to Art of Sound activities and projects, collaborating with students across the Music program to develop and enhance production, technical and performance skills. Involvement in Art of Sound will culminate in contributing to the Creativity Unlimited Music Festival.

Subject Content

The subject will cover the following topics:
- popular music communities and genre
- popular music communities and place
- popular music communities and Technology
- popular music communities - power and dissent

Assessment

The following table summarises the standard assessment tasks for this subject. Please note this is a guide only. Assessment tasks are regularly updated, where there is a difference your Learning Guide takes precedence.

Item Length Percent Threshold Individual/Group Task
Take-Home Test 1,000 words 25 N Individual
Debate Presentation 1,000 words/10 minutes 25 N Individual
Essay 2,000 words 50 N Individual
Art of Sound Minimum 2 hours per fortnight S/U Y Individual

Teaching Periods

Structures that include subject