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Course Outline

MUS100 Intro to Songwriting and Production

Course Coordinator:Lachlan Goold (lgoold@usc.edu.au) School:School of Business and Creative Industries

2024Semester 1

UniSC Sunshine Coast

 Blended learning Most of your course is on campus but you may be able to do some components of this course online.

Please go to usc.edu.au for up to date information on the
teaching sessions and campuses where this course is usually offered.

What is this course about?

Description

In this course, you will study the foundations of songwriting and sound recording in a digital environment. Lecturers and industry practitioners will guide you as you engage in the basic theories and skills of lyric writing, harmony, melody, and musical form. You will apply that knowledge in a number of music production tasks, including recording, overdubbing, sequencing, editing and mixing. These tasks will culminate in the production of a sound recording of your original song.

How will this course be delivered?

Activity Hours Beginning Week Frequency
Blended learning
Learning materials – Asynchronous online delivery of learning material. 1hr Week 1 12 times
Tutorial/Workshop 1 – Synchronous and scheduled face to face workshops. 2hrs Throughout teaching period (refer to Format) 12 times

Course Topics

Basic songwriting, Basic lyric writing, DAW proficiency, Recording audio, Writing rhythm, Writing harmony and melody, Virtual instruments, Songwriting to brief, Basic audio mixing. 

 

What level is this course?

100 Level (Introductory)

Engaging with discipline knowledge and skills at foundational level, broad application of knowledge and skills in familiar contexts and with support. Limited or no prerequisites. Normally, associated with the first full-time study year of an undergraduate program.

What is the unit value of this course?

12 units

How does this course contribute to my learning?

Course Learning Outcomes On successful completion of this course, you should be able to... Graduate Qualities Completing these tasks successfully will contribute to you becoming...
1 Develop a foundation knowledge of Digital Audio Workstations and the process of recording audio for songwriting Knowledgeable
2 Demonstrate an understanding of songwriting and lyric writing principles and theory based on industry concepts and instructional literature. Empowered
3 Create and manage a DAW session with correct signal path, multitracked audio, appropriate plugin use, edited and balanced to create a digital audio track. Creative and critical thinker
4 Develop an understanding of the recording process including knowledge of microphones, and other analogue technologies. Knowledgeable
5 Apply your songwriting and music production knowledge to build a demonstration recording for communicating musical concepts and ideas. Creative and critical thinker

Am I eligible to enrol in this course?

Refer to the UniSC Glossary of terms for definitions of “pre-requisites, co-requisites and anti-requisites”.

Pre-requisites

Not applicable

Co-requisites

Not applicable

Anti-requisites

Not applicable

Specific assumed prior knowledge and skills (where applicable)

Not applicable

How am I going to be assessed?

Grading Scale

Standard Grading (GRD)

High Distinction (HD), Distinction (DN), Credit (CR), Pass (PS), Fail (FL).

Details of early feedback on progress

An opportunity exists in every workshop to produce and perform creative work individually and/or in small peer groups. Using assessment criteria or an assessment rubric, provided to students prior to commencing, students will self-assess and peer assess throughout the entire course.

Assessment tasks

Delivery mode Task No. Assessment Product Individual or Group Weighting % What is the duration / length? When should I submit? Where should I submit it?
All 1 Artefact - Creative, and Written Piece Individual 30% 
Approx 1 minute recording plus lyric sheet.
 Week 5 Online Submission
All 2 Artefact - Creative Individual 30% 
Approximately 30 minutes.
 Week 9 Online Submission
All 3 Artefact - Creative, and Written Piece Individual 40% 
2-4 minute recording plus lyric sheet and 500 word written document
 Week 13 Online Submission
All - Assessment Task 1:Concept writing
Goal: 
This purpose of this assessment task is to develop skills in lyric and basic songwriting in short-form for social media platforms.
Product: Artefact - Creative, and Written Piece
Format: 
In this task, you will engage in industry-led practices in professional songwriting. You will write the lyrics and music to a verse and chorus of a new song. You will deliver this as a basic recording plus a lyric sheet.
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1 
Demonstrating understanding of lyric writing and narrative principles discussed in this course.
 2
2 
Demonstrating understanding of appropriate harmonic and melodic elements.
 2
3 
Applying and communicating ideas through appropriate delivery formats.
 5
All - Assessment Task 2:Songwriting in a DAW
Goal: 
The purpose of this task is to develop and demonstrate technical skills in a DAW by songwriting in response to prompts.
Product: Artefact - Creative
Format: 
You will be provided with a detailed list of tasks to complete in order to demonstrate your knowledge of DAWs and their associated workflow. The resulting song/s should adhere to the songwriters toolkit discussed in classes. You will be given a limited amount of time to complete this assessment item.
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1 
Creating, setting up, managing and delivering a DAW session.
 3
2 
Developing a foundational knowledge of recording, editing and sequencing tasks.
 1
3 
Developing a foundational knowledge of plugin and signal flow tasks.
 1
4 
Demonstrating an understanding of the four elements of the songwriter's toolkit in a creative work.
 2
All - Assessment Task 3:Songwriting to a brief
Goal: 
The purpose of this task is to place your developing songwriting skills into a common industry framework of practice.
Product: Artefact - Creative, and Written Piece
Format: 
In this task, you will be provided a mock industry publisher’s brief outlining a set of parameters required for your songwriting. You will apply your songwriter’s toolkit and knowledge of DAWs to develop a song that fits these parameters. You will present your creative work as a demonstration recording and accompanying lyric sheet. You will also submit a written document explaining how your songwriting and production choices align with the publisher's brief.
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1 
Demonstrating an understanding of lyric and narrative concepts in line with a publisher's brief.
 2
2 
Applying songwriting concepts of melody, harmony, form in line with a publisher's brief.
 5
3 
Developing and applying recording and production processes to create and communicate an arrangement in line with the publisher's brief.
 4

Directed study hours

A 12-unit course will have total of 150 learning hours which will include directed study hours (including online if required), self-directed learning and completion of assessable tasks. Student workload is calculated at 12.5 learning hours per one unit.

What resources do I need to undertake this course?

Please note: Course information, including specific information of recommended readings, learning activities, resources, weekly readings, etc. are available on the course Canvas site– Please log in as soon as possible.

Prescribed text(s) or course reader

There are no required/recommended resources for this course.

Specific requirements

Students are expected to make themselves available for autonomous recording sessions. Students must therefore consider their availability on evenings and weekends as well as normal working hours.

In this class, you will require the foundation tools of the music producer. These are: 
- Hard Drive/cloud storage with 100Gb of free memory
- a set of stereo headphones for music production (with a 1/4 inch adaptor)

How are risks managed in this course?

Health and safety risks for this course have been assessed as low. It is your responsibility to review course material, search online, discuss with lecturers and peers and understand the health and safety risks associated with your specific course of study and to familiarise yourself with the University’s general health and safety principles by reviewing the online induction training for students, and following the instructions of the University staff.

What administrative information is relevant to this course?

Assessment: Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is the ethical standard of university participation.  It ensures that students graduate as a result of proving they are competent in their discipline.  This is integral in maintaining the value of academic qualifications. Each industry has expectations and standards of the skills and knowledge within that discipline and these are reflected in assessment.

Academic integrity means that you do not engage in any activity that is considered to be academic fraud; including plagiarism, collusion or outsourcing any part of any assessment item to any other person.  You are expected to be honest and ethical by completing all work yourself and indicating in your work which ideas and information were developed by you and which were taken from others. You cannot provide your assessment work to others. You are also expected to provide evidence of wide and critical reading, usually by using appropriate academic references.

In order to minimise incidents of academic fraud, this course may require that some of its assessment tasks, when submitted to Canvas, are electronically checked through Turnitin.  This software allows for text comparisons to be made between your submitted assessment item and all other work to which Turnitin has access.

Assessment: Additional Requirements

Your eligibility for supplementary assessment in a course is dependent of the following conditions applying:

The final mark is in the percentage range 47% to 49.4%
The course is graded using the Standard Grading scale
You have not failed an assessment task in the course due to academic misconduct.

Assessment: Submission penalties

Late submission of assessment tasks may be penalised at the following maximum rate: 
- 5% (of the assessment task's identified value) per day for the first two days from the date identified as the due date for the assessment task. 
- 10% (of the assessment task's identified value) for the third day - 20% (of the assessment task's identified value) for the fourth day and subsequent days up to and including seven days from the date identified as the due date for the assessment task. 
- A result of zero is awarded for an assessment task submitted after seven days from the date identified as the due date for the assessment task. Weekdays and weekends are included in the calculation of days late. To request an extension you must contact your course coordinator to negotiate an outcome.

SafeUniSC

UniSC is committed to a culture of respect and providing a safe and supportive environment for all members of our community. For immediate assistance on campus contact SafeUniSC by phone: 07 5430 1168 or using the SafeZone app. For general enquires contact the SafeUniSC team by phone 07 5456 3864 or email safe@usc.edu.au.

The SafeUniSC Specialist Service is a Student Wellbeing service that provides free and confidential support to students who may have experienced or observed behaviour that could cause fear, offence or trauma. To contact the service call 07 5430 1226 or email studentwellbeing@usc.edu.au.

Study help

For help with course-specific advice, for example what information to include in your assessment, you should first contact your tutor, then your course coordinator, if needed.

If you require additional assistance, the Learning Advisers are trained professionals who are ready to help you develop a wide range of academic skills. Visit the Learning Advisers web page for more information, or contact Student Central for further assistance: +61 7 5430 2890 or studentcentral@usc.edu.au.

Wellbeing Services

Student Wellbeing provide free and confidential counselling on a wide range of personal, academic, social and psychological matters, to foster positive mental health and wellbeing for your academic success.

To book a confidential appointment go to Student Hub, email studentwellbeing@usc.edu.au or call 07 5430 1226.

AccessAbility Services

Ability Advisers ensure equal access to all aspects of university life. If your studies are affected by a disability, learning disorder mental health issue, injury or illness, or you are a primary carer for someone with a disability or who is considered frail and aged, AccessAbility Services can provide access to appropriate reasonable adjustments and practical advice about the support and facilities available to you throughout the University.

To book a confidential appointment go to Student Hub, email AccessAbility@usc.edu.au or call 07 5430 2890.

Links to relevant University policy and procedures

For more information on Academic Learning & Teaching categories including:

  • Assessment: Courses and Coursework Programs
  • Review of Assessment and Final Grades
  • Supplementary Assessment
  • Central Examinations
  • Deferred Examinations
  • Student Conduct
  • Students with a Disability

For more information, visit https://www.usc.edu.au/explore/policies-and-procedures#academic-learning-and-teaching

Student Charter

UniSC is committed to excellence in teaching, research and engagement in an environment that is inclusive, inspiring, safe and respectful. The Student Charter sets out what students can expect from the University, and what in turn is expected of students, to achieve these outcomes.

General Enquiries

  • In person:
    • UniSC Sunshine Coast - Student Central, Ground Floor, Building C, 90 Sippy Downs Drive, Sippy Downs
    • UniSC Moreton Bay - Service Centre, Ground Floor, Foundation Building, Gympie Road, Petrie
    • UniSC SouthBank - Student Central, Building A4 (SW1), 52 Merivale Street, South Brisbane
    • UniSC Gympie - Student Central, 71 Cartwright Road, Gympie
    • UniSC Fraser Coast - Student Central, Student Central, Building A, 161 Old Maryborough Rd, Hervey Bay
    • UniSC Caboolture - Student Central, Level 1 Building J, Cnr Manley and Tallon Street, Caboolture
  • Tel:+61 7 5430 2890
  • Email:studentcentral@usc.edu.au
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