MC325 Reassessment Two, 2008: Research Portfolio
Brief
You will undertake two small-scale research tasks distributed at the beginning of the
module. You will be expected to undertake both of these tasks and feedback
provisional findings in seminars where you will receive formative feedback. On the
basis of this feedback you will then write up both of these at 1000 words each.
Portfolio Task 1: Book Review: 33% of overall grade

You have been asked to write a 1000 word critical review of a book for a
special edition of the Journal of Popular Music Studies.

The edition is on the theme of ‘Academics and Popular Music’ and seeks to
critically engage with the ways in which academics have created knowledge
about popular music’s history and cultural significance.
 In your review you have to critically evaluate how the author is interpreting
and evaluating popular music by analysing their discourse.
Tasks

Select a book on popular music from the library and read it (note: avoid
introductory or general texts as these are usually reviews of theory rather than
theory ‘in themselves’).

In your discourse analysis, consider the following: What kinds of music are
noted as being important? Does the book examine music of the underground
or place an emphasis on musical roots, creativity and authenticity? Does it
privilege some kinds of music over others and if so why?
 Does the book circulate ‘assumptions and value judgments’ about music
(Hesmondalgh, D. in Curran, J. 1996) and does it construct a particular
ideology of music?
 Can it be explained in terms of concepts such as the ‘rock era’ or does it focus
on music and cultural practices that reject or challenge these dominant
discourses?
Publishers’ Guidelines

The review must be word processed and double spaced in Times New
Roman (12 point).

It must summarise the nature and extent of the book’s content and outline
its principal arguments. It must also reflect on significant examples from
the book.
 It must provide a critical appraisal of the book in terms of its usefulness for
exploring popular music and its role in creating knowledge about popular
music. It should draw the reader’s attention to relevant theory in doing so.
Portfolio Task 2: Analysing a Pop Song

You have been asked to write a 1000 word analysis of a pop song for the
introductory student textbook ‘Themes in Popular Music’.
 In your analysis you have to outline and explain concepts and approaches to
studying pop songs as well as illustrate them with examples from a song of
your choice.
Tasks

Select a song from the current Top 40 for analysis. In your analysis consider
the following:

Does the song conform to the dominant song form identified by Wall (2003)?
Does it have repeated patterns and structures of verse and chorus and does it
have a clear hook? Can we locate it in the tradition of ‘Tin Pan Alley’ or fit
more easily within the European vernacular or European art traditions (Wall, T.
2003).
 What is the rhetorical function of the song? How does it make you feel and
how is it semiotically structured to encode those feelings?
Publishers’ Guidelines
 The analysis must be word processed and double-spaced in Times New
Roman (12 point).
 It must provide a clear explanation of relevant concepts and draw on
precise examples that are explored using semiology.
 It must be adequately referenced with all key theoretical points supported
by relevant citations using the Harvard method.
 It must contain a full and relevant bibliography. If you wish to include a
recording of the song in your portfolio then we will endeavour to listen to
it!
Assessment Criteria for Portfolio Tasks
Your work will be assessed against the following criteria:
Full and thorough exploration of each research task that demonstrates an ability to
meet a brief precisely and shows an applied understanding of key issues
Ability to research in a range of contexts
Ability to express research findings clearly according to a brief and according to
academic convention
Ability to locate research within a sharp theoretical context drawing on relevant
academic sources in a critical way
Grade Descriptors
Marks will be awarded according to the following descriptors:
Criteria
i.
ii.
70+
Tasks
completed to
meet the
individual
briefs
precisely.
Theoretical or
technical
aspects of the
briefs
explored with
confidence
and with
evidence of
excellent
understanding
of key issues
or theory.
Clear
evidence of
ability to
research
secondary
material and
music texts.
Work across
both briefs is
consistently
of a high
standard.
60-70
Tasks
completed
which meet
the briefs.
Theoretical or
technical
requirements
of the brief
met clearly
with evidence
of
understanding
of key issues
or theory.
50-60
Tasks
completed
which
generally
meet the
briefs.
Theoretical or
technical
requirements
met with
satisfactory
understanding
of issues.
40-50
Tasks
attempted,
but some may
be incomplete
or
demonstrate a
partial
understanding
of key issues.
20-40
Unsatisfactory
effort to meet
the brief.
Some tasks
may not have
been
attempted, or
have been met
in a
rudimentary
way that may
not meet the
brief. Limited
understanding
of key issues
demonstrated.
Below 20
Little of no
effort to me
the briefs se
with no
understandin
of key issue
demonstrate
Evidence of
ability to
research
secondary
material and
music texts.
Generally
consistent
approach to
this, although
some briefs
might be met
Sound ability
to research
across the
contexts set
out in the
briefs,
although
some aspects
of the
portfolio
weak
compared to
Satisfactory
ability to
research
across the
range of
contexts, but
some aspects
of the briefs
may be
significantly
weaker than
others and the
Unsatisfactory
ability to
research in
different
contexts.
Some aspects
of the briefs
may not be
relevant and
many aspects
demonstrate a
poor
Little or no
evidence of
ability to
research the
range of
contexts set
out in the
briefs.
more clearly
than others.
iii.
iv.
Vocabulary
and mode of
expression
clearly
suitable for
each brief.
Clear use of
spelling and
grammar.
Evidence of
an ability to
write in a
range of
styles and to
underpin this
with accurate
use of
academic
conventions
of referencing
and
quotation.
Where
required, the
briefs are
located
within a
clear,
contemporary
theoretical
framework
with evidence
of an ability
to critique
using
evidence in a
persuasive
way.
others.
portfolio may
be
inconsistent.
Good use of
Sound use of Satisfactory
expression to expression,
expression
suit the briefs. but tends to
but tends to
Good spelling write in a
overlook the
and grammar. similar style
needs of the
Some
despite the
brief and
evidence of
needs of the
write in the
an ability to
brief.
same style.
write in a
Generally
Referencing
style suitable suitable use
and quotation
for each brief. of referencing may be
Good use of
and quotation inaccurate or
academic
to support
irrelevant in
referencing
points where places and
and quotation relevant. May there may be
where
be some
many errors
relevant.
minor errors
of spelling
of spelling
and grammar.
and grammar.
understanding
of the range
of issues.
Unsatisfactory
expression
that may not
meet the
needs of the
brief and has
many errors
of spelling
and grammar.
Theoretical
material well
explained and
utilised where
relevant,
demonstrating
some ability
to critique
and reading
beyond core
texts.
Limited
theoretical
contexts that
may be
inaccurately
explained or
applied with
little evidence
of
independent
reading.
Theoretical
material wellexplained and
utilised, but
may not be
clearly
relevant in
places or
lacks ability
to critique.
Tends to rely
on course
reading.
Some use of
theory, but
may be
descriptive or
lack an
analytical or
critical
purpose.
Tends to
rehearse
lecture notes.
Deadline: please note that the deadline for return of all
coursework reassessment is Monday 7 July. Please return
assignments to the Faculty Office in the normal way and also note
that for reassessments you may NOT take advantage of the 48hour self-certification facility.
Very weak
expression,
with some
points not
understanda
and little
evidence of
argument or
structure.
Little or no
theoretical
context.