Songwriting: Concepts and Craft addresses the knowledge and skills required to write songs in a range of contemporary popular styles. Songwriting is a creative practice seated in a discipline with history and context, and theory and method. Students will be guided through an historical overview of major eras and styles of popular songwriting since ca.1910s as well as in analysis of the relevant musical theory and methods that underpin songs from these eras and styles, with the intention of informing the students own portfolio of original popular songs.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:

1. apply relevant musical theory and songwriting method to original songs in a range of modern styles and songwriting contexts;
2. critically evaluate major songs drawn from major historical eras and styles of the recent century;
3. apply song arranging skills to their original songs, inclusive of: writing for the rhythm section, writing for backing vocals, writing for horns and/or second keyboard (e.g. synth pad), and creating charts; and
4. articulate key decisions taken during the creative process (both contextual, as well as technical and expressive) through an exegesis.

Recommended Resources

Whether you are on campus or studying remotely, there are a variety of online platforms you will use to participate in your study program. These could include videos for lectures and other instruction, two-way video conferencing for interactive learning, email and other messaging tools for communication, interactive web apps for formative and collaborative activities, print and/or photo/scan for handwritten work and drawings, and home-based assessment.

ANU outlines recommended student system requirements to ensure you are able to participate fully in your learning. Other information is also available about the various Learning Platforms you may use.

Staff Feedback

Students will be given feedback in the following forms in this course:

• written comments
• verbal comments
• feedback to whole class, groups, individuals, focus group etc

Student Feedback

ANU is committed to the demonstration of educational excellence and regularly seeks feedback from students. Students are encouraged to offer feedback directly to their Course Convener or through their College and Course representatives (if applicable). Feedback can also be provided to Course Conveners and teachers via the Student Experience of Learning & Teaching (SELT) feedback program. SELT surveys are confidential and also provide the Colleges and ANU Executive with opportunities to recognise excellent teaching, and opportunities for improvement.

Class Schedule

Week/Session	Summary of Activities	Assessment
1	Course overview. The Blues. Feel and hook concepts. Chord Progression Techniques for Songwriters session 1 – Feel.	See assessment schedule in this document.
2	Lyrics Writing and form in songs/lyrics. Chord progression session 2. Benchmark layout of lead sheet/basic chart (tutorial).
3	Lyrics Writing and form in song/ lyrics session 2. Melody concepts and techniques.
4	Visiting lecturer Indigenous musician – William Barton TBC Writing for the rhythm section.
5	Early Rock n’ Roll – the 1950's.
6	Hip Hop and its Influence on Modern Pop Music Chord progression session 3.
7	Song writing Partnerships and the evolution of co-writing
8	Writing for backing vocals. Writing for the rhythm section, session 2.
9	The Jazz Standard. Keeping in touch with melodic techniques – session 2.
10	Australian folk/rock/pop selection – the music and the cultural context.
11	Australian folk/rock/pop selection – the music and the cultural context – session 2.
12	Revision. In class performance and presentations. Examination period (N/A)

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Learning Outcomes
Original song 1 for portfolio. Week 5. (25%)	25 %	1,3
Original song 2 for portfolio. Week 9. (25%)	25 %	1,3
Original song 3 for portfolio. Week 12. (25%)	25 %	1,3
Exegesis. Weeks 9 – 12. (25%)	25 %	2,4

* If the Due Date and Return of Assessment date are blank, see the Assessment Tab for specific Assessment Task details

Policies

ANU has educational policies, procedures and guidelines , which are designed to ensure that staff and students are aware of the University’s academic standards, and implement them. Students are expected to have read the Academic Integrity Rule before the commencement of their course. Other key policies and guidelines include:

• Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
• Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure
• Special Assessment Consideration Guideline and General Information 
• Student Surveys and Evaluations
• Deferred Examinations
• Student Complaint Resolution Policy and Procedure
• Code of practice for teaching and learning

Assessment Requirements

The ANU is using Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the Academic Skills website. In rare cases where online submission using Turnitin software is not technically possible; or where not using Turnitin software has been justified by the Course Convener and approved by the Associate Dean (Education) on the basis of the teaching model being employed; students shall submit assessment online via ‘Wattle’ outside of Turnitin, or failing that in hard copy, or through a combination of submission methods as approved by the Associate Dean (Education). The submission method is detailed below.

Moderation of Assessment

Marks that are allocated during Semester are to be considered provisional until formalised by the College examiners meeting at the end of each Semester. If appropriate, some moderation of marks might be applied prior to final results being released.

Assessment Task 1

Original song 1 for portfolio. Week 5. (25%)

Assessment Task 1: Original song 1 for portfolio. Week 5.

Details of task: Original song number 1: write a blues or 1950's-style rock song; charted including benchmark layout for basic lead sheet/chart, lyrics, melody and chord symbols – no elaborate voicings, modelled on blues or simple 50's rock songs; neat handwritten or notation software acceptable.

Assessment Rubrics

See rubric on Wattle site

Word limit (where applicable):

Value: 25%

Presentation requirements: Lead sheet (score) to be handed in to lecturer, neat handwritten or notation software acceptable.

Estimated return date: Week 7

Assessment Task 2

Original song 2 for portfolio. Week 9. (25%)

Original song 2 for portfolio. Week 9.

Details of task: Original song number 2: write a song with a modulation/change of harmonic focus in the chorus section, include at least one non-diatonic chord; fully charted with guitar part (chord symbols fine), part with full voicings for piano/keys, and parts for notated bass and drums patterns (all parts must suit the style). Lyrics must demonstrate at least three lyric writing techniques (alliteration, etc); melody must demonstrate some melodic techniques; recording to be included (for documentation/demo only), neat handwritten or notation software acceptable. Layout as per benchmark full chart.

Assessment Rubrics

See rubric on Wattle site

Word limit (where applicable):

Value: 25%

Presentation requirements: To be handed in to lecturer, neat handwritten or notation software acceptable. Lecturer will advise students on options to submit recordings.

Estimated return date: Week 11

 

Assessment Task 3

Original song 3 for portfolio. Week 12. (25%)

Original song 3 for portfolio. Week 12.

Details of task: Original song number 3: write a song that includes any relevant harmonic technique to the style chosen; charted including separate parts for guitar (chord symbols/feel), part with full voicings for piano/keys, part for notated bass and drums patterns (all parts must suit the style), optional backing vocals or horns parts. Lyrics must demonstrate at least three lyric writing techniques (alliteration, etc); melody must demonstrate some melodic techniques; and recorded (for documentation/demo only), neat handwritten or notation software acceptable. Layout as per benchmark full chart.

Assessment Rubrics

See rubric on Wattle site

Word limit (where applicable):

Value: 25%

Presentation requirements: To be handed in to lecturer, neat handwritten or notation software acceptable. Will advise students on options to submit recordings.

Estimated return date: exam week

 

Assessment Task 4

Exegesis. Weeks 9 – 12. (25%)

Exegesis. Weeks 9 – 12.

Details of task: 750 word exegesis on one of your original songs from the portfolio. One should elaborate upon both concepts and techniques of the song.

Assessment Rubrics

See rubric on Wattle site

Word limit (where applicable): 750 words.

Value: 25%

Presentation requirements: Hand in via Turnitin as a word document.

Estimated return date: exam week

Hurdle Assessment requirements (where applicable):

Individual Assessment in Group Tasks (where applicable):

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a core part of the ANU culture as a community of scholars. The University’s students are an integral part of that community. The academic integrity principle commits all students to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support, academic integrity, and to uphold this commitment by behaving honestly, responsibly and ethically, and with respect and fairness, in scholarly practice.

The University expects all staff and students to be familiar with the academic integrity principle, the Academic Integrity Rule 2021, the Policy: Student Academic Integrity and Procedure: Student Academic Integrity, and to uphold high standards of academic integrity to ensure the quality and value of our qualifications.

The Academic Integrity Rule 2021 is a legal document that the University uses to promote academic integrity, and manage breaches of the academic integrity principle. The Policy and Procedure support the Rule by outlining overarching principles, responsibilities and processes. The Academic Integrity Rule 2021 commences on 1 December 2021 and applies to courses commencing on or after that date, as well as to research conduct occurring on or after that date. Prior to this, the Academic Misconduct Rule 2015 applies.

 

The University commits to assisting all students to understand how to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support academic integrity. All coursework students must complete the online Academic Integrity Module (Epigeum), and Higher Degree Research (HDR) students are required to complete research integrity training. The Academic Integrity website provides information about services available to assist students with their assignments, examinations and other learning activities, as well as understanding and upholding academic integrity.

Online Submission

You will be required to electronically sign a declaration as part of the submission of your assignment. Please keep a copy of the assignment for your records. Unless an exemption has been approved by the Associate Dean (Education) submission must be through Turnitin. Assessment Task 4 only.

Hardcopy Submission

For some forms of assessment (hand written assignments, art works, laboratory notes, etc.) hard copy submission is appropriate when approved by the Associate Dean (Education). Hard copy submissions must utilise the Assignment Cover Sheet. Please keep a copy of tasks completed for your records. Assessment Tasks 1-3.

Late Submission

Individual assessment tasks may or may not allow for late submission. Policy regarding late submission is detailed below:

• Late submission not permitted. If submission of assessment tasks without an extension after the due date is not permitted, a mark of 0 will be awarded.
• Late submission permitted. Late submission of assessment tasks without an extension are penalised at the rate of 5% of the possible marks available per working day or part thereof. Late submission of assessment tasks is not accepted after 10 working days after the due date, or on or after the date specified in the course outline for the return of the assessment item. Late submission is not accepted for take-home examinations.

Referencing Requirements

The Academic Skills website has information to assist you with your writing and assessments. The website includes information about Academic Integrity including referencing requirements for different disciplines. There is also information on Plagiarism and different ways to use source material.

Extensions and Penalties

Extensions and late submission of assessment pieces are covered by the Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure. Extensions may be granted for assessment pieces that are not examinations or take-home examinations. If you need an extension, you must request an extension in writing on or before the due date. If you have documented and appropriate medical evidence that demonstrates you were not able to request an extension on or before the due date, you may be able to request it after the due date.

Privacy Notice

The ANU has made a number of third party, online, databases available for students to use. Use of each online database is conditional on student end users first agreeing to the database licensor’s terms of service and/or privacy policy. Students should read these carefully. In some cases student end users will be required to register an account with the database licensor and submit personal information, including their: first name; last name; ANU email address; and other information.
In cases where student end users are asked to submit ‘content’ to a database, such as an assignment or short answers, the database licensor may only use the student’s ‘content’ in accordance with the terms of service – including any (copyright) licence the student grants to the database licensor. Any personal information or content a student submits may be stored by the licensor, potentially offshore, and will be used to process the database service in accordance with the licensors terms of service and/or privacy policy.
If any student chooses not to agree to the database licensor’s terms of service or privacy policy, the student will not be able to access and use the database. In these circumstances students should contact their lecturer to enquire about alternative arrangements that are available.

Distribution of grades policy

Academic Quality Assurance Committee monitors the performance of students, including attrition, further study and employment rates and grade distribution, and College reports on quality assurance processes for assessment activities, including alignment with national and international disciplinary and interdisciplinary standards, as well as qualification type learning outcomes.

Since first semester 1994, ANU uses a grading scale for all courses. This grading scale is used by all academic areas of the University.

Support for students

The University offers students support through several different services. You may contact the services listed below directly or seek advice from your Course Convener, Student Administrators, or your College and Course representatives (if applicable).

• ANU Health, safety & wellbeing for medical services, counselling, mental health and spiritual support
• ANU Access and inclusion for students with a disability or ongoing or chronic illness
• ANU Dean of Students for confidential, impartial advice and help to resolve problems between students and the academic or administrative areas of the University
• ANU Academic Skills and Learning Centre supports you make your own decisions about how you learn and manage your workload.
• ANU Counselling Centre promotes, supports and enhances mental health and wellbeing within the University student community.
• ANUSA supports and represents undergraduate and ANU College students
• PARSA supports and represents postgraduate and research students