Musicals & Society: Oklahoma to Hamilton (MUST20016)

Undergraduate level 2Points: 12.5Online

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Overview

Availability
July - Online
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This subject has been designed and developed for online delivery and assessment only.

This subject demystifies one of the most popular cultural phenomena of our time: the musical. From the quintessential book musical Oklahoma to the ground-breaking, international sensation Hamilton, students will uncover how and why some of the most well-known and loved musicals were created, to understand how musicals can reflect our society in ways that are poignant, powerful, artistically brilliant and even - at times - problematic.

In this fully online subject, students will view an in-depth and fascinating video lecture series, undertake practical exploration through instructional singing videos and have this experience enhanced through workshop-style online tutorials. Throughout the course students will be introduced to new perspectives and ways of listening to and interpreting musical theatre. In exploring their voices in a safe and supportive environment, students will learn basic music theory, basic vocal anatomy and learn to sing a selection of artistically and socially significant musical theatre works from the 20th and 21st centuries.

Along with fortnightly tests, a creative written assignment will give students the opportunity to undertake independent research and draw on their embodied knowledge of singing musical theatre repertoire to critically assess how musicals can be a powerful vehicle for change in our society. Students will also submit practical singing assessments individually, with the final submission culminating in the creation of a ‘Zoom Choir’ performance. In this subject, theory and practice will be combined to deepen students’ understanding of musical theatre and its relevance in today’s society. No prior singing or music experience is necessary.

Intended learning outcomes

On completion of this subject, students should be able to:

  • apply safe voice use practices when singing;
  • apply basic musical concepts and vocal characteristics relevant to learning and singing musical theatre repertoire, as directed;
  • use and define Music Theatre terminology;
  • research artistic works and explain their connection to culture and society;
  • critically assess a musical within a social and political context.

Last updated: 9 April 2025

Eligibility and requirements

Prerequisites

None

Corequisites

None

Non-allowed subjects

None

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: 9 April 2025

Assessment

DescriptionTimingPercentage

Five Online Tests (on the lecture/reading material, includes some short answer), 7% each

  • 10 minutes (each)
Throughout the teaching period35%

Self-tape including: Solo demonstration of two excerpts from songs learnt in classes (2 mins each)

  • 10 hours (of work required)
Mid teaching period10%

4-minute self-tape including: Singing a full song from class that will be used to create a zoom choir (individual task with group outcome)

  • 10 hours (of work required)
End of the teaching period10%

Creative written task

  • 1800 words
During the assessment period45%
Hurdle requirement: Students must attend a minimum of 75% of all scheduled classes to be eligible for a pass in this subject.Throughout the teaching periodN/A
Hurdle requirement: Students must submit all elements of assessment to be eligible for a pass in this subject. For the purposes of meeting this hurdle requirement, each submitted assessment must be complete and constitute a genuine attempt to address the requirements of the task. Submitting only part of an assessment (e.g. only the title page) or an assessment on an irrelevant topic will not meet this hurdle requirement.Throughout the teaching periodN/A

Last updated: 9 April 2025

Dates & times

  • July - Online
    CoordinatorJayde Kirchert
    Mode of deliveryOnline
    Contact hours33 hours, comprising twelve 1-hour online video lectures, 12-hours of instructional practical videos, and nine 1-hour practical zoom tutorials.
    Total time commitment170 hours
    Pre teaching start date 7 July 2025
    Pre teaching requirementsThe pre-teaching period requires students to familiarise themselves with key works that will be studied, to ensure they are prepared to undertake the subject in the intensive delivery mode.
    Teaching period14 July 2025 to 25 July 2025
    Last self-enrol date 8 July 2025
    Census date18 July 2025
    Last date to withdraw without fail 1 August 2025
    Assessment period ends14 August 2025

    July contact information

    Jayde Kirchert: jayde.kirchert@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.

Last updated: 9 April 2025

Further information

Last updated: 9 April 2025