MU5022 Research Practices

Research Project (50%)

Initial proposal due (via email) Friday week 14 (Nov 1 @ 23:59)

Final work due Friday week 20 (13 December 2023 @ 23:59)

Assessment Instructions

This assessment invites you to undertake an independent research project on a topic from the field/s of community music, composition, music education, musicology, performance, and sonic arts. This project can take one of the following formats:

•    3,000-word essay (submitted via Turnitin)

•    15-minute lecture recital (recording and slides submitted via MyAberdeen)

•    7-minute composition (score and, if feasible, audio, submitted via MyAberdeen) or

•    A combination/adaptation agreed with the course coordinator.

You may have +/- 10% either way in the word count/ duration of the work. Your project will be marked in accordance with the assessment criteria in the MMus Programme Handbook.

Regardless of the format you choose, the purpose of this assessment is to demonstrate your ability to engage in critical and reflective thinking on your chosen topic. To this end, you are required to consider the ways in which your project can contribute to further understanding of existing ideas, debates and/ or approaches in your chosen field. To this end:

o For creative projects: You will need to provide (of approximately 300 words) a

rationale and reflection (i.e., what, why, how, and what did you learn?) on the cre5ation and execution of your creative work. This will include demonstrating whose ideas and techniques you are drawing on/ exploring in your project. Please also note, for such projects, you will also be required to provide a written introduction/ overview of the creative pieces you submit for final assessment.

o For written based projects: Your essay should engage in ‘ big picture’ critical

reflection and the consideration of multiple perspectives and ideas on your topic. It will not be enough to simply recite and rehash existing materials. You will be required to demonstrate original thinking, analysis, and reflection in your essay and show that you are able to contribute to the ongoing discussion and debates in your  chosen field/ on your chosen topic.

We will spend time in Workshop Four (Week 11) devising your project. You will be required to email to the course coordinator a short blurb (of no more than 250 words) of what your proposed project will be (as relevant: the topic and its associated focus / context and rationale/ expected output/s) by the end of Week 13 (October 28). This will assist in ensuring your project is feasible in its focus and allow for additional guidance as you move forward through the term.

Devising your project

In devising the project consider the following:

•    Your area/s of interest within the six fields outlined above;

•    Your creative skills ability and interests;

•    The area of interest you may wish to pursue as you continue with your practice/ studies;

•    How the project may sit within a portfolio of your creative work or support you in future advanced studies (where and as applicable)

Assessment

The assessment criteria relevant to your project format (composition, performance and/ or written work) will be applied per the rubrics in the MMus Handbook. This is addition to the requirements outline above in relation to creative and reflective thinking, and the furthering of existing ideas, debates and/ or approaches in your chosen field.