Key facts
UNE unit code: MUSI235
*You are viewing the 2025 version of this unit which may be subject to change in future.
- Trimester 3 - Online
- Yes
- No
- No
- 6
Unit information
Western popular music has developed alongside social movements and youth cultures which have challenged the political order and been used to assert new modes of identity.
In this unit you will work through an historical survey of Western popular music from the 1950s to the present day, paying particular attention to how popular music genres have developed within shifting social upheavals, technological innovations, and evolving consumer cultures.
You will progress through listening, contextualisation and analysis exercises of popular music genres including rock, pop, folk, hip hop, dance and electronica.
Unit learning activities will encourage you to evaluate how popular music has challenged historical music literacies and expanded experiences of music of the last and present century.
Offerings
For further information about UNE's teaching periods, please go to Principal Dates.
Teaching period | Mode/location |
---|---|
Trimester 3 | Online |
*Offering is subject to availability
Intensive schools
There are no intensive schools required for this unit.
Enrolment rules
Notes
Please refer to the student handbook for current details on this unit.
Unit coordinator(s)
Learning outcomes
Upon completion of this unit, students will be able to:
- understand and critically evaluate the development of popular music genres within their social and historical contexts of development;
- identify and describe a range of popular music genres and artists;
- effectively transfer knowledge of music to others through written and oral tasks;
- apply knowledge and skills of recent research and performance practices to the interpretation of popular music; and
- develop information literacy and investigative skills relevant to the practice of popular music studies.
Assessment information
Assessments are subject to change up to 8 weeks prior to the start of the teaching period in which you are undertaking the unit.
Title | Must Complete | Weight | Offerings | Assessment Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
Essay | Yes | 40% | All offerings | No. Words: 2000 |
Listening exercises | No | 20% | All offerings | No. Words: 1000 |
Online Exercises | Yes | 20% | All offerings | No. Words: 600 (equivalent) |
Presentation | No | 20% | All offerings | No. Words: 1000 |
Learning resources
Textbooks are subject to change up to 8 weeks prior to the start of the teaching period in which you are undertaking the unit.
Note: Students are expected to purchase prescribed material. Please note that textbook requirements may vary from one teaching period to the next.
The Rock History Reader
ISBN: 9781138227712
Cateforis, T. (ed), Routledge 3rd ed. 2019
Text refers to: All offerings
Note: Recommended material is held in the University Library — purchase is optional.
Rock, the primary text : developing a musicology of rock
ISBN: 9781472462404
Moore, Allan F.; Martin, Remy, Routldge 3rd 2019
Text refers to: All offerings
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