Honours Music Studies 2 (MUSI40111)
HonoursPoints: 12.5On Campus (Southbank)
Overview
| Availability | Semester 2 |
|---|---|
| Fees | Look up fees |
This subject introduces students to a major research topic in musicology, ethnomusicology, or popular music studies through guided readings, discussions and a research project.
Topic, reading list, project timeline and format are agreed upon in collaboration between student and honours coordinator before the semester begins.
2025 Topic: Music and meaning from Bach to Beethoven and beyond.
In this subject we will explore the construction of meaning in Western music from the early Modern period to the present through the lens of the theory of musical topics. The concept of topic alludes to conventional figures that refer audiences to culturally shared worlds of meaning. Topical awareness can influence our understanding of individual works and help shape their interpretation. Although our main focus will be the Western art music tradition, the use of topics in other genres such as video game, popular, and film music will be considered.
Delivery
This subject is co-taught with MUSI30270 Topics in Musicology. Students cannot simultaneously enrol in co-taught subjects in the same study period.
Intended learning outcomes
On successful completion of this subject, students should be able to:
- identify and critique major perspectives and methods associated with a contemporary topic or area in academic music studies;
- compare and assess how major topics in music studies have been applied to different contexts and time periods;
- find and assess the secondary literature on a major issue in the study of music;
- craft and answer a research question related to a major topic in music studies using primary, secondary and tertiary sources as appropriate.
Last updated: 4 March 2025
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
None
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
| Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| MUSI20227 | Popular Music Studies | Not available in 2025 |
12.5 |
| MUSI30269 | Music in Australia | Semester 2 (On Campus - Southbank) |
12.5 |
| MUSI30270 | Topics in Musicology | Semester 2 (On Campus - Southbank) |
12.5 |
| MUSI30271 | Topics in Popular Music Studies | Not available in 2025 |
12.5 |
Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)
The University of Melbourne is committed to providing students with reasonable adjustments to assessment and participation under the Disability Standards for Education (2005), and the Assessment and Results Policy (MPF1326). Students are expected to meet the core participation requirements for their course. These can be viewed under Entry and Participation Requirements for the course outlines in the Handbook.
Further details on how to seek academic adjustments can be found on the Student Equity and Disability Support website: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/student-equity/home
Last updated: 4 March 2025
Assessment
| Description | Timing | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
A folio of written work
| During the teaching period | 60% |
Research project - 2000 words or equivalent (excluding references)
| During the examination period | 40% |
Last updated: 4 March 2025
Dates & times
- Semester 2
Coordinator Melanie Plesch Mode of delivery On Campus (Southbank) Contact hours 24 hours, comprising one 1-hour lecture and one 1-hour tutorial per week Total time commitment 170 hours Teaching period 28 July 2025 to 26 October 2025 Last self-enrol date 8 August 2025 Census date 1 September 2025 Last date to withdraw without fail 26 September 2025 Assessment period ends 21 November 2025 Semester 2 contact information
Melanie Plesch: mplesch@unimelb.edu.au
What do these dates mean
Visit this webpage to find out about these key dates, including how they impact on:
- Your tuition fees, academic transcript and statements.
- And for Commonwealth Supported students, your:
- Student Learning Entitlement. This applies to all students enrolled in a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP).
Subjects withdrawn after the census date (including up to the ‘last day to withdraw without fail’) count toward the Student Learning Entitlement.
Additional delivery details
Delivery
Each year this subject is co-delivered with an undergraduate elective subject from the list below:
- MUSI20227 Popular Music Studies
- MUSI30269 Music in Australia
- MUSI30270 Topics in Musicology
- MUSI30271 Topics in Popular Music Studies
Last updated: 4 March 2025
Further information
- Texts
- Related Handbook entries
This subject contributes to the following:
Type Name Course Graduate Diploma in Music Course Bachelor of Music (Degree with Honours) - Available through the Community Access Program
About the Community Access Program (CAP)
This subject is available through the Community Access Program (also called Single Subject Studies) which allows you to enrol in single subjects offered by the University of Melbourne, without the commitment required to complete a whole degree.
Please note Single Subject Studies via Community Access Program is not available to student visa holders or applicants
Entry requirements including prerequisites may apply. Please refer to the CAP applications page for further information.
Last updated: 4 March 2025