Essay Questions

Music History: Classical Overview

Unit Code: MUS1516

Unit Title: Music History: Classical Overview
Semester: 2
Year: 2019
Lectures: Wednesdays, 10.30am – 12.30pm
Location: 17.157 Lecture Theatre (except 30
October 2019 – 3.201)

WAAPA | Telephone: 134328 | Calls outside Australia (61 8) 6304 0000

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Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts

Edith Cowan University
Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts
Edith Cowan University
http://www.waapa.ecu.edu.au/
CRICOS IPC 00279B

Prepared by: Patricia Alessi, Stewart Smith & Philip Everall

Version: Semester 2, 2019

Discipline: Classical Music

Unit Coordinator: Stewart Smith
Contact
Name Office Email Consultation times
number/s

Stewart Smith ML1.215 08 6304 6110 s.smith@ecu.edu.au By Appointment

Lecturer: Patricia Alessi

Contact
Name Office Email Consultation times
number

17.221 Wednesdays, 9.30am

Patricia Alessi p.alessi@ecu.edu.au – 10.30am or By
(Level 2) Appointment

Student Information
ML 13.148 or
Office 134 328 educationandarts@ecu.edu.au
JO 8.215

MUS1516 Music History: Classical Overview 2

 WAAPA

Essay Questions
You will have a choice of three essay questions for your research essay. Please choose only one of the
questions below and indicate this choice on the Cover Sheet:
1. Explore three aspects crucial to the development of notation. You may consider historical and/or
sociopolitical influences as well as developments within written notation as well. How do these
aspect impact written notation today? Ensure you have included musical examples in your response.

2. Choose one piece of Baroque music and unpack this musical example with reference to the Doctrine
of Affections. Limit your focus to a maximum of three aspects (otherwise, your paper will be far too
long). It is highly advised that historical treatises of the time period are consulted! Ensure you have
included musical examples in your response.

3. Critically consider the Mozart and Da Ponte opera Così Fan Tutte. It is often called Mozart and Da
Ponte’s ‘most problematic opera’. Do you agree with this statement? Why or why not? Ensure you
have included musical examples to support the aspects of your argument.

Essay Format
Your essay must clearly:
• Indicate your topic choice.
• Reference properly in accordance with Chicago style.
• Include a minimum of 7 scholarly resources.
• Be a minimum of 1,500 words in length and a maximum of 2,000 words in length (plus or minus
10%).
• Be typed, double-spaced and in 11-point font.
• Be submitted via Blackboard > TurnItIn only.
• Be submitted within the appropriate timeframe.
NB that ECU policy states that late submissions receive a deduction of 5% per working day late. Submissions
more than 7 days late are not accepted. Extensions are only granted in exceptional circumstances and must
be requested in writing (email) at least 48 hours in advance of the due date.

Submission
This essay is due on Friday, 11 October 2019, 5pm via Blackboard > TurnItIn. It is worth 25% of your final
mark for this Unit.
Note that you must submit these steps to your essay prior to your final essay submission:
1. Essay Bibliography and Thesis (draft): Due Friday, 6 September 2019, 5pm;
2. Essay Outline: Due Friday, 20 September 2019, 5pm; and
3. Revised Bibliography and Thesis: Due Friday, 27 September 2019, 5pm.
Your essay will be marked in accordance with the provided rubric (see Blackboard). Feedback will be available
via Blackboard > My Grades.

MUS1516 Music History: Classical Overview 3