CQUniversity Unit Profile
MUSC12394 History of Rock and Roll 1
History of Rock and Roll 1
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The information will not be changed unless absolutely necessary and any change will be clearly indicated by an approved correction included in the profile.
General Information

Overview

In this unit you will study the history and cultural development of contemporary popular music from 1950 to the end of the 1960s. Your studies will focus on prominent composers, musicians, producers, bands and their repertoire; important forms and instruments; aural characteristics of the music, as well as the technological, sociological and political events that influenced musical trends during this period.

Details

Career Level: Undergraduate
Unit Level: Level 2
Credit Points: 6
Student Contribution Band: 8
Fraction of Full-Time Student Load: 0.125

Pre-requisites or Co-requisites

There are no requisites for this unit.

Important note: Students enrolled in a subsequent unit who failed their pre-requisite unit, should drop the subsequent unit before the census date or within 10 working days of Fail grade notification. Students who do not drop the unit in this timeframe cannot later drop the unit without academic and financial liability. See details in the Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework).

Offerings For Term 1 - 2019

Online

Attendance Requirements

All on-campus students are expected to attend scheduled classes – in some units, these classes are identified as a mandatory (pass/fail) component and attendance is compulsory. International students, on a student visa, must maintain a full time study load and meet both attendance and academic progress requirements in each study period (satisfactory attendance for International students is defined as maintaining at least an 80% attendance record).

Class and Assessment Overview

Recommended Student Time Commitment

Each 6-credit Undergraduate unit at CQUniversity requires an overall time commitment of an average of 12.5 hours of study per week, making a total of 150 hours for the unit.

Class Timetable

Bundaberg, Cairns, Emerald, Gladstone, Mackay, Rockhampton, Townsville
Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth, Sydney

Assessment Overview

1. Written Assessment
Weighting: 30%
2. Written Assessment
Weighting: 30%
3. Written Assessment
Weighting: 40%

Assessment Grading

This is a graded unit: your overall grade will be calculated from the marks or grades for each assessment task, based on the relative weightings shown in the table above. You must obtain an overall mark for the unit of at least 50%, or an overall grade of ‘pass’ in order to pass the unit. If any ‘pass/fail’ tasks are shown in the table above they must also be completed successfully (‘pass’ grade). You must also meet any minimum mark requirements specified for a particular assessment task, as detailed in the ‘assessment task’ section (note that in some instances, the minimum mark for a task may be greater than 50%). Consult the University’s Grades and Results Policy for more details of interim results and final grades.

Previous Student Feedback

Feedback, Recommendations and Responses

Every unit is reviewed for enhancement each year. At the most recent review, the following staff and student feedback items were identified and recommendations were made.

Feedback from Student evaluation data

Feedback

The unit evaluations offered no suggestions for improvement.

Recommendation

Review all learning resources and assessment tasks with a view to improving the student experience.

Unit Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
  1. Describe the important musical, structural and aural characteristics of contemporary popular music from 1950 until the end of the 1960s
  2. Describe the contribution of significant composers, musicians, producers and bands to the development of contemporary popular music from 1950 until the end of the 1960s
  3. Contextualise the principal stylistic trends of contemporary popular music within the important social and political movements from 1950 to the end of the 1960s
Alignment of Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Graduate Attributes
N/A Level
Introductory Level
Intermediate Level
Graduate Level
Professional Level
Advanced Level

Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes

Assessment Tasks Learning Outcomes
1 2 3
1 - Written Assessment - 30%
2 - Written Assessment - 30%
3 - Written Assessment - 40%

Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes

Graduate Attributes Learning Outcomes
1 2 3
1 - Communication
2 - Problem Solving
3 - Critical Thinking
4 - Information Literacy
5 - Team Work
6 - Information Technology Competence
7 - Cross Cultural Competence
8 - Ethical practice
9 - Social Innovation
10 - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultures

Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Graduate Attributes

Assessment Tasks Graduate Attributes
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
1 - Written Assessment - 30%
2 - Written Assessment - 30%
3 - Written Assessment - 40%
Textbooks and Resources

Textbooks

Prescribed

What's that sound? : an introduction to rock and its history

Edition: 5th edn (2018)
Authors: Covach
W. W. Norton
New York New York , NY , United States
ISBN: 9780393624144
Binding: Paperback

Additional Textbook Information

Copies can be purchased from the CQUni Bookshop here: http://bookshop.cqu.edu.au (search on the Unit code)

IT Resources

You will need access to the following IT resources:
  • CQUniversity Student Email
  • Internet
  • Unit Website (Moodle)
Referencing Style

All submissions for this unit must use the referencing style: American Psychological Association 6th Edition (APA 6th edition)

For further information, see the Assessment Tasks.

Teaching Contacts
David Reaston Unit Coordinator
d.reaston@cqu.edu.au
Schedule
Week 1 Begin Date: 11 Mar 2019

Module/Topic

Unit introduction

Chapter

Covach, John, & Flory, Andrew. (2018). What's that sound? : An introduction to rock and its history (Fifth ed.). New York, N.Y.: WW Norton & Company Incorporated. Introduction Chapter.


Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 2 Begin Date: 18 Mar 2019

Module/Topic

The Origins of Rock and Roll

Chapter

Covach, John, & Flory, Andrew. (2018). What's that sound? : An introduction to rock and its history (Fifth ed.). New York, N.Y.: WW Norton & Company Incorporated. Chapter 1.

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 3 Begin Date: 25 Mar 2019

Module/Topic

The Golden Age of Rock and Roll

Chapter

Covach, John, & Flory, Andrew. (2018). What's that sound? : An introduction to rock and its history (Fifth ed.). New York, N.Y.: WW Norton & Company Incorporated. Chapter 2.

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 4 Begin Date: 01 Apr 2019

Module/Topic

Rockabilly

Chapter

As per last week.

Events and Submissions/Topic

Analysis Assignment 1 Due: Week 4 Monday (1 Apr 2019) 11:45 pm AEST
Week 5 Begin Date: 08 Apr 2019

Module/Topic

The Brill Building

Chapter

Covach, John, & Flory, Andrew. (2018). What's that sound? : An introduction to rock and its history (Fifth ed.). New York, N.Y.: WW Norton & Company Incorporated. Chapter 3.

Events and Submissions/Topic

Vacation Week Begin Date: 15 Apr 2019

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 6 Begin Date: 22 Apr 2019

Module/Topic

Early 60s Rock

Chapter

As per last week.

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 7 Begin Date: 29 Apr 2019

Module/Topic

The British Invasion

Chapter

Covach, John, & Flory, Andrew. (2018). What's that sound? : An introduction to rock and its history (Fifth ed.). New York, N.Y.: WW Norton & Company Incorporated. Chapter 4.

Events and Submissions/Topic

Analysis Assignment 2 Due: Week 7 Monday (29 Apr 2019) 11:45 pm AEST
Week 8 Begin Date: 06 May 2019

Module/Topic

60s Folk and Pop

Chapter

Covach, John, & Flory, Andrew. (2018). What's that sound? : An introduction to rock and its history (Fifth ed.). New York, N.Y.: WW Norton & Company Incorporated. Chapter 5.

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 9 Begin Date: 13 May 2019

Module/Topic

Garage Rock

Chapter

As per last week.

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 10 Begin Date: 20 May 2019

Module/Topic

Motown

Chapter

Covach, John, & Flory, Andrew. (2018). What's that sound? : An introduction to rock and its history (Fifth ed.). New York, N.Y.: WW Norton & Company Incorporated. Chapter 6.

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 11 Begin Date: 27 May 2019

Module/Topic

Southern Soul/Stax and Atlantic

Chapter

As per last week.

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 12 Begin Date: 03 Jun 2019

Module/Topic

Psychedelic Music

Chapter

Covach, John, & Flory, Andrew. (2018). What's that sound? : An introduction to rock and its history (Fifth ed.). New York, N.Y.: WW Norton & Company Incorporated. Chapter 7.

Events and Submissions/Topic

Review/Exam Week Begin Date: 10 Jun 2019

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Research Assessment Due: Review/Exam Week Monday (10 June 2019) 11:45 pm AEST
Exam Week Begin Date: 17 Jun 2019

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Assessment Tasks

1 Written Assessment

Assessment Title
Analysis Assignment 1

Task Description

Length: 900 words* + 4 Listening Guides

Task

Choose one song that was first recorded in the 1950s and has been re-recorded by more than one artist over at least two decades other than the 1950s. This song can not be one covered in unit material or in the text book (Covach, John, & Flory, Andrew. (2018). What's that sound? : An introduction to rock and its history (Fifth ed.). New York: WW Norton & Company Incorporated.).

Once you have found the recording of the song in its earliest form and three different recordings (covers) of this song by different artists to complete the tasks below:

A: Using the unit text book as a guide, create a ‘Listening Guide’ (see page 9 of text book) for each of the four songs (original and three covers). The listening guide should include:

  • Name of artist; title of song; catalogue number and brief description.
  • The form of the song
  • The time-signature(s) used
  • The instrumentation used
  • A time structure marking each main event
  • A link to song online (YouTube, SoundCloud etc)

B: Using the Listening Guides you have created, write 300 words on each cover comparing it to the original recording of the song. Make sure to:

  • Compare the instrumentation in each cover to the original
  • Compare the use of lead and backing vocals in each cover to the original
  • Discuss any other stylistic and musical changes made to the covers from the original.

Assessment submission and presentation

Your assessment must be submitted as a Microsoft Word Document (.docx) and:

  • Must use 12 point Times New Roman font
  • Must use 1.5 spacing for the body of the assignment
  • Include your name and student number on each page as part of a header or footer.
  • May use sub-headings to organise your assignment clearly
  • Must adhere to the CQUniversity APA Style Guide.

*The word count is considered from the first word of the introduction to the last word of the conclusion. It excludes the cover page, abstract, contents page, reference page and appendices. It includes in-text references and direct quotations.


Assessment Due Date

Week 4 Monday (1 Apr 2019) 11:45 pm AEST


Return Date to Students

Week 6 Monday (22 Apr 2019)


Weighting
30%

Assessment Criteria

Listening Guides
  • Appropriate description of relevant song information (6%)
  • Appropriate description of form (5%)
  • Appropriate description of time-signature (4%)
  • Appropriate description of the instrumentation used (10%)
  • Appropriate description of structure of song including key events (20%)
Comparative Analysis
  • Depth of treatment of discussion on instrumentation in originals & covers (10%)
  • Depth of treatment of discussion on lead and backing vocals in originals & covers (10%)
  • Evidence of understanding of stylistic and musical changes from original to each cover (10%)
  • Depth of treatment of discussion on achievement made by each of the different covers (10%)
Writing Skills
  • Accuracy of spelling, punctuation and grammar; clarity of writing style (10%)
  • Meeting delivery requirements (presentation, word count*, style guide) (5%)

*The word count is considered from the first word of the introduction to the last word of the conclusion. It excludes the cover page, abstract, contents page, reference page and appendices. It includes in-text references and direct quotations.


Referencing Style

Submission
Online

Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Describe the important musical, structural and aural characteristics of contemporary popular music from 1950 until the end of the 1960s
  • Describe the contribution of significant composers, musicians, producers and bands to the development of contemporary popular music from 1950 until the end of the 1960s
  • Contextualise the principal stylistic trends of contemporary popular music within the important social and political movements from 1950 to the end of the 1960s


Graduate Attributes
  • Communication
  • Critical Thinking
  • Information Literacy

2 Written Assessment

Assessment Title
Analysis Assignment 2

Task Description

Length: 1000 words* + 4 Listening Guides

Task

Choose two songs that were recorded/released by the Beatles in the period of 1962-1964 and two songs that were recorded/released by the Beatles in the period of 1967-1969. These songs can not be ones covered in unit material or in the text book (Covach, John, & Flory, Andrew. (2018). What's that sound? : An introduction to rock and its history (Fifth ed.). New York: WW Norton & Company Incorporated.).

Find recordings of these four songs to complete the tasks below:

A: Using the unit text book as a guide, create a ‘Listening Guide’ (see page 9 of text book) for each song. The listening guide should include:

  • Name of artist; title of song; catalogue number and brief description.
  • The form of the song
  • The time-signature(s) used
  • The instrumentation used
  • A time structure marking each main event
  • A link to song online (YouTube, SoundCloud etc)

B: Using the Listening Guides you have created, write a 1000 word essay comparing the two songs from the earlier period (1962-1964) with the two songs from the later period (1967-1969). Make sure to:

  • Compare the lyric content and structure
  • Compare the instrumentation in each song
  • Discuss any stylistic changes made between the two periods
  • Discuss any other musical changes made between the two periods

Assessment submission and presentation

Your assessment must be submitted as a Microsoft Word Document (.docx) and:

  • Must use 12 point Times New Roman font
  • Must use 1.5 spacing for the body of the assignment
  • Include your name and student number on each page as part of a header or footer.
  • May use sub-headings to organise your assignment clearly
  • Must adhere to the CQUniversity APA Style Guide.

*The word count is considered from the first word of the introduction to the last word of the conclusion. It excludes the cover page, abstract, contents page, reference page and appendices. It includes in-text references and direct quotations.


Assessment Due Date

Week 7 Monday (29 Apr 2019) 11:45 pm AEST


Return Date to Students

Week 10 Monday (20 May 2019)


Weighting
30%

Assessment Criteria

Listening Guides
  • Appropriate description of relevant song information (6%)
  • Appropriate description of form (5%)
  • Appropriate description of time-signature (4%)
  • Appropriate description of the instrumentation used (10%)
  • Appropriate description of structure of song including key events (20%)
Comparative Analysis
  • Depth of treatment of discussion on lyric content and structure (10%)
  • Depth of treatment of discussion on instrumentation in each song (8%)
  • Evidence of understanding of stylistic and musical changes between the two periods (12%)
  • Depth of treatment of discussion on other musical changes made between the two periods (10%)
Writing Skills
  • Accuracy of spelling, punctuation and grammar; clarity of writing style (10%)
  • Meeting delivery requirements (presentation, word count*, style guide) (5%)

*The word count is considered from the first word of the introduction to the last word of the conclusion. It excludes the cover page, abstract, contents page, reference page and appendices. It includes in-text references and direct quotations.


Referencing Style

Submission
Online

Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Describe the important musical, structural and aural characteristics of contemporary popular music from 1950 until the end of the 1960s
  • Describe the contribution of significant composers, musicians, producers and bands to the development of contemporary popular music from 1950 until the end of the 1960s
  • Contextualise the principal stylistic trends of contemporary popular music within the important social and political movements from 1950 to the end of the 1960s


Graduate Attributes
  • Communication
  • Critical Thinking
  • Information Literacy

3 Written Assessment

Assessment Title
Research Assessment

Task Description

Topic: Race, Genre and Rock and Roll

Length: 2000-2500 words*

Task

Discuss how rock and roll during the 1950s and 1960s broke down the social and racial barriers between black and white Americans and the barriers between rhythm-and-blues, country and pop genres. Support your argument with examples from primary sources: text and music where appropriate.

Assessment submission and presentation

Your assessment must be submitted as a Microsoft Word Document (.docx) and:

  • Must use 12 point Times New Roman font
  • Must use 1.5 spacing for the body of the assignment
  • Include your name and student number on each page as part of a header or footer.
  • May use sub-headings to organise your assignment clearly
  • Must adhere to the CQUniversity APA Style Guide.

*The word count is considered from the first word of the introduction to the last word of the conclusion. It excludes the cover page, abstract, contents page, reference page and appendices. It includes in-text references and direct quotations.


Assessment Due Date

Review/Exam Week Monday (10 June 2019) 11:45 pm AEST


Return Date to Students

After the completion of assessent.


Weighting
40%

Assessment Criteria

Content:
  • Appropriateness of introduction (10%)
  • Relevance of material (10%)
  • Logical material progression (10%)
  • Development of argument or theme (10%)
  • Use of primary sources to support argument or theme (10%)
  • Synthesis of information (5%)
  • Appropriateness of conclusion (5%)

Reference list:

  • Referencing system precision (10%)
  • Ability to reference sources in the body of the text (10%)
  • Evidence of wide reading (5%)

General points:

  • Accuracy of spelling, punctuation and grammar; clarity of writing style (10%)
  • Meeting delivery requirements (presentation, word count*, style guide) (5%)

*The word count is considered from the first word of the introduction to the last word of the conclusion. It excludes the cover page, abstract, contents page, reference page and appendices. It includes in-text references and direct quotations.


Referencing Style

Submission
Online

Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Describe the important musical, structural and aural characteristics of contemporary popular music from 1950 until the end of the 1960s
  • Describe the contribution of significant composers, musicians, producers and bands to the development of contemporary popular music from 1950 until the end of the 1960s
  • Contextualise the principal stylistic trends of contemporary popular music within the important social and political movements from 1950 to the end of the 1960s


Graduate Attributes
  • Communication
  • Critical Thinking
  • Information Literacy

Academic Integrity Statement

As a CQUniversity student you are expected to act honestly in all aspects of your academic work.

Any assessable work undertaken or submitted for review or assessment must be your own work. Assessable work is any type of work you do to meet the assessment requirements in the unit, including draft work submitted for review and feedback and final work to be assessed.

When you use the ideas, words or data of others in your assessment, you must thoroughly and clearly acknowledge the source of this information by using the correct referencing style for your unit. Using others’ work without proper acknowledgement may be considered a form of intellectual dishonesty.

Participating honestly, respectfully, responsibly, and fairly in your university study ensures the CQUniversity qualification you earn will be valued as a true indication of your individual academic achievement and will continue to receive the respect and recognition it deserves.

As a student, you are responsible for reading and following CQUniversity’s policies, including the Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure. This policy sets out CQUniversity’s expectations of you to act with integrity, examples of academic integrity breaches to avoid, the processes used to address alleged breaches of academic integrity, and potential penalties.

What is a breach of academic integrity?

A breach of academic integrity includes but is not limited to plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, cheating, contract cheating, and academic misconduct. The Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure defines what these terms mean and gives examples.

Why is academic integrity important?

A breach of academic integrity may result in one or more penalties, including suspension or even expulsion from the University. It can also have negative implications for student visas and future enrolment at CQUniversity or elsewhere. Students who engage in contract cheating also risk being blackmailed by contract cheating services.

Where can I get assistance?

For academic advice and guidance, the Academic Learning Centre (ALC) can support you in becoming confident in completing assessments with integrity and of high standard.

What can you do to act with integrity?