MU3006 - Music Portfolio: Skills for University

On this module you will develop a 1500-word essay and a 500-word reflective piece demonstrating and evidencing the broad range of academic, professional and transferable employability skills you have developed during semester one of the Foundation year. These will include demonstrations of cogent academic prose, accurate academic citation, research and analytical skills specific to music, independent learning, oral presentation, and teamwork. You will develop these assignments throughout semester one, drawing on the content of the module’s lectures, workshops and seminars.

You will learn on the module through a stimulating range of seminars and workshops. Your learning will be facilitated by the Skills Plus centre, affiliated with the university library, who will deliver a range of support on core academic skills. Each week you will be given a preparatory activity (e.g. set reading, a source search, listening or analysis exercise) which will form the basis of your explorations in class for that week. Sessions will be delivered by the module team to ensure you benefit from their particular expertise across a range of disciplines. You will research, plan and write a 1500-word essay and an accompanying 500-word reflective piece that showcases the academic and professional skills you have acquired.

By attending the lectures and seminars and undertaking the assignments you will be supported to achieve the module learning outcomes. As you explore identity you will develop foundational knowledge in research skills, writing about music, analysing music via notation and recordings, time management, IT skills, critical thinking and evaluation as well as academic communication skills.

In addition to learning during contact hours with the module tutors, you will undertake the directed learning of the preparatory activities as well as independent learning. Independent learning generally will take the form of further reading, listening and research, the consolidation of session materials and the completion of the assessment.

All modules at Northumbria include a range of reading materials that students are expected to engage with. Online reading lists (provided after enrolment) give you access to your reading material for your modules. The Library works in partnership with your module tutors to ensure you have access to the material that you need.

Knowledge & Understanding:
1 ability to collect and evaluate evidence of personal achievement and development.

Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:
2 essential academic skills of written prose, citation, oral presentation, and independent research, including skills specific to music.
3 transferable employability skills.

Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA):
4 demonstrate the capacity for sustained independent work

Formative:
Essay Plan:
Midway through the semester, you will submit an essay plan and indicative bibliography in preparation for your summative assessment. You will have a meeting with your seminar tutor to review and discuss your essay
plan and its development. (MLO 1-4)

Summative:
1. 1500-word essay: you will produce a 1500-word essay in which you demonstrate the core academic skills you have acquired (including independent research, written prose, argumentation and citation) (75%) (MLO 1-4)

2. 500-word reflective piece: you will write a reflective piece on the professional music, academic and employability skills you have developed on the module (25%) (MLO 1-4)

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This module will provide you with the essential skills that will prepare you for academia, and for professional employment. You will learn through lectures, seminars and workshops to develop core knowledge in such necessary abilities as academic writing, research techniques, music score analysis and aural skills, academic citation, public speaking, and presenting your work. Specific training in how to write about music will equip you with the skills to analyse and critique scores, recordings and live performances to prepare you for future academic study across all areas of the music foundation and undergraduate programmes. These transferrable skills will also support you in professional employment across a wide range of sectors.