THE SENATE
PATHWAY APPROVAL REPORT
(Core and/or Franchised Provision)
A confirmed report of the event held on 23rd March 2009 to consider
the approval of the following pathways:
FdA Popular Music
BA (Hons) Popular Music (Level 3 progression route only)
Faculty of Arts, Law and Social Sciences.
Delivery of Pathways at Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge
Campus
Quality Assurance Division
SECTION A – OUTCOME SUMMARY
1.
INTRODUCTION
The purpose of the event was to consider the approval of the FdA Popular Music, BA
(Hons) Popular Music (Level 3 progression route only).
The pathway will be located in the Music Programme with the Department of Music and
Performing Arts in the Faculty of Arts, Law and Social Sciences.
2.
CONCLUSIONS
2.1
The Panel recommends to the Senate the approval of the following pathways:


FdA Popular Music.
BA (Hons) Popular Music ( Level 3 progression route only)
Approval, once confirmed, will be for an indefinite period, subject to Anglia Ruskin’s
continuing quality assurance procedures.
2.2
The Panel recommends to the Senate the approval of five new modules for delivery
(subject to the review of modules in performance and composing and improvising in
accordance with condition 2.3.2). The full titles of all new modules are provided in section
D of this report.
2.3
Conditions
Approval is subject to the following conditions which were set by the Panel. Two copies of
the responses must be lodged with the Executive Officer by the date(s) detailed below:
2.3.1
2.3.2
Details of Condition
Deadline
Provide a 2 dimensional grid indicating where
research skills topics are included in the
modules at levels 1 and 2.
Review the Performance and Composing and
Improvising modules at levels 1 and 2 and
make amendments which will involve rewriting
one or more modules to indicate the
relationship between performance and
composition and improvisation in the context of
popular music
22nd April
2009
Quality Assurance Division
2
22nd April
2009
Response to be
considered by
Chair, Panel
and Executive
Officer
Chair, External
Panel members
and Executive
Officer
Confirmed
2.4
Recommendations
The following recommendations for quality enhancement were made by the Panel. Two
copies of the responses to the recommendations listed below must be lodged with the
Executive Officer. The Faculty Board for the Faculty of Arts, Law and Social Sciences will
consider the responses at its meeting of 10th June 2009:
2.4.1
2.4.2
Details of Recommendation
The team should monitor the demand from students on whether
the FdA Popular Music is seen as an opportunity to acquire
notational skills.
With the anticipated growth in numbers the team should
consider the need to make provision for formal resource
planning.
Deadline
10th May 2009
10th May 2009
Issues Referred to the Senate (or appropriate standing committee)
The Panel did not identify any institution-wide issues as requiring the attention of the
Senate or the appropriate standing committee of the Senate.
Quality Assurance Division
3
Confirmed
SECTION B – DETAIL OF DISCUSSION AND PANEL CONCLUSIONS
3
RATIONALE
3.1
The proposal team outlined the background to the proposal. The proposed popular music
programme aims to situate itself between the existing music and creative music technology
pathways, and will utilise a number of existing modules and include work based modules.
3.2
The proposal is also the outcome of the drive to increase accessibility to the music courses
run at Anglia and to encapsulate the broader range of A ‘level/diploma qualifications, and
Further Education courses which are solely focussed on popular music.
3.3
The proposal aims to provide a stronger sense of identity for those students who perceive
themselves as popular musicians and would like a course which more closely reflects their
interests and career aspirations.
3.4
The proposal aims to allow for employability at the end of level 2.
4
CURRICULUM DESIGN, CONTENT AND DELIVERY
4.1
The proposal team highlighted that several of the Quality Assurance Agency’s (QAA)
Subject Benchmark Statements and Anglia Ruskin Level descriptors had been used when
developing the proposal
4.2
The proposal team explained that the pathway had been designed to facilitate employment
as freelance musicians, and the external panel members highlighted a possible route to
PGCE. The panel had considered this but had not included specific modules due to a
restriction on module quota but confirmed these are available within the department.
4.3
A discussion took place on the interpretation of work placement for the FdA popular music.
The proposal team explained the nature of many of the modules provided “work placement”
in the form of booking “gigs”, the use of recording equipment and performance provided
relevant experience which differs from the more traditional work placement. The panel
accepted this argument.
4.4
The panel queried the title of the course and the team explained that students embarking
on this course will have a very clear view of “popular music”. The team explained that the
course differs from traditional music in a number of areas in particular the degree of
improvisation and aural way of thinking.
4.5
The panel queried the distinction between the performance module and the music creation
module. The external panel felt the modules were similar and could be combined. The
proposal team explained the performance module covered more of the work based
learning aspect as it involved booking gigs but did not cover the music creation aspect. The
panel asked the team to review these modules at levels 1 and 2 and make amendments
which will involve rewriting one or more modules to indicate the relationship between
performance and composition and improvisation in the context of popular music
4.6
The external panel queried how the team would deal with the instrumental technique and
accepted the team’s explanation.
4.7
The panel raised the question of including listening lists in addition to the key texts
mentioned in the MDF’s. The team confirmed additional texts and listening lists are
detailed in the module guides and that only the key texts are detailed in the MDF’s.
Quality Assurance Division
4
Confirmed
4.8
The panel asked the team to confirm what opportunities were available for students who
wished to improve their notational skills. The team confirmed there are modules in place
within the department and the panel suggested the team monitors demand with a view to
widening the availability if there is a significant demand.
5
ASSESSMENT STRATEGY
5.1
The external panel members congratulated the team on the use of varied assessment and
questioned whether feedback would be available earlier in the module, the team confirmed
would be the case
5.2
The panel raised concern with regard to the lack preparation for a final project. The team
provided a detailed explanation and felt the majority of students would be unlikely to
produce a 10000 word dissertation as the requirement is for an equivalent and given the
subject area the final project would likely be artefact. The team also confirmed that
research skills topics are included in modules at levels 1 and 2 and an additional time
allocation was set aside out of the 10 hours personal time for preparation. The panel
asked the team to provide a 2 dimensional grid to show where the research skills
topics are included in modules at levels 1 and 2.
5.3
The panel queried the lack of assessment on work placement. The team explained the
securing of a gig/placement was part of the strategy in itself. The panel accepted the
team’s explanation.
5.4
The external panel discussed with the team the merits of assessment as a motivational
tool.
5.5
The panel asked the team how they would measure whether the degree is working; the
team confirmed that in addition to the regular assessment and module feedback modules,
ex-students are invited to attend enterprise days. The Destination of leavers also provides
evidence.
6
STAFFING, LEARNING RESOURCES AND STUDENT SUPPORT
6.1
The team provided a detailed tour of the Music department outlining the resources
and explaining access arrangements.
6.2
The external panel raised concern over the proximity of the studio facilities to teaching
rooms and the likely noise disturbance this would cause. The team accepted this may
cause issues particularly given the anticipated increase in numbers and confirmed they
would need to monitor timetabling and pressure times.
Quality Assurance Division
5
Confirmed
7
DOCUMENTATION
7.1
It was noted that the Technical Report contained a number of minor amendments to the
MDFs and PSF that were required as a standard condition of approval. The Proposal Team
agreed to amend the documentation accordingly, prior to submitting final definitive
versions.
7.2
The panel congratulated the team on the clarity of the documentation.
8
MISCELLANEOUS
8.1
The panel commended the proposal team on their collegiality and the quality of the
students.
9
CONFIRMATION OF STANDARDS OF AWARDS
The Panel confirmed that the proposed FdA Popular Music and BA (Hons) Popular
Music ( Progression route only) pathways satisfy the University’s Academic Regulations
with regard to the definitions and academic standards of Anglia Ruskin awards and,
hence, the QAA’s Framework for Higher Education Qualifications.
DRAFT
UNCONFIRMED
CONFIRMED
FILE REF
OFFICE FILE REF
Quality Assurance Division
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7th April 2009
20th April 2009
date report agreed as confirmed
Confirmed
SECTION C – DETAILS OF PANEL MEMBERSHIP AND PROPOSAL TEAM
Internal Panel Members:
Jonathan Knowles (Chair)
Principal Lecturer International Strategy
Ashcroft International Business School
Sarah Kraszewski
Programme Leader Primary Care
Faculty of Health & Social Care
External Panel Members:
Dr John Eacott
Title, Faculty/Department and Role and institution
Dr Dai Griffiths
Title, Faculty/Department and Role and institution
Executive Officer:
Vicky McCormick
Faculty Quality Assurance Officer (ALSS
Academic Office.
Technical Officer:
Alex Toole
Academic Regulations Assistant
Academic Office.
Observer
Julia Ramsay
Shadow deputy Head Law
The Faculty of Arts Law & Social Sciences
Members of Proposal Team:
Paul Jackson
Head of Department,
Music & Performing Arts
The Faculty of Arts Law & Social Sciences
Miguel Mera
Principal Lecturer/Proposal Team Leader
Music & Performing Arts
The Faculty of Arts Law & Social Sciences
Julio d’Escrivan
Reader in Creative Music Technology
Music & Performing Arts
The Faculty of Arts Law & Social Sciences
Kevin Flanagan
Senior Lecturer
Music & Performing Arts
The Faculty of Arts Law & Social Sciences
Chris Ingham
Music & Performing Arts
The Faculty of Arts Law & Social Sciences
Quality Assurance Division
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Confirmed
SECTION D – OUTCOME DATA
Programme
Department
Faculty
Collaborative Partner
New/amended Awards
Approved (nb intended awards
Undergraduate
Music and Performing Arts
Faculty of Arts, Law and Social Sciences
Not Applicable
Attendance mode
and duration
only, not intermediate awards)
FdA
BSc (Hons)
Popular Music
Popular Music ( progression route only)
Validating body (if not Anglia Ruskin University)
Professional body accreditation
Proposal Team Leader
Month and Year of the first intake
Standard intake points
Maximum and minimum student numbers
Date of first Conferment of Award(s)
Any additional/specialised wording to appear on
transcript and/or award certificate
Date of next scheduled Periodic Review
Awards and Titles to be deleted (with month/year of last
regular conferment)
Full time and part
time
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Miguel Mera
September 2009
September
Min 15 Max 30
September 2011
None
To be determined
None
NEW MODULES APPROVED
AS115022S Arranging
AS215028S DJ Practice
AF315 020S The Global Market Place in Music
AF315021S Film Music
AF315022S Re-inventions
Quality Assurance Division
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Confirmed
FOR FRANCHISE APPROVALS ONLY: LIST OF MODULE TUTORS AND MODULE CODES & TITLES
(FOR INCLUSION IN THE REGISTER OF TEACHING STAFF)
Not Applicable
Quality Assurance Division
9
Confirmed