Breadth Studies
at the Victorian College
of the Arts and Melbourne
Conservatorium of Music
Breadth
Breadth is one of the most exciting aspects of the
University's New Generation degrees. Breadth subjects
allow you to gain knowledge and understanding across
a broader range of disciplines, enabling you to develop
insight, experience, and new ways of thinking in areas
distinct from the main fields of study in your degree.
Why study breadth?
The aim of breadth is not only to encourage you to expand
your academic horizons, but also to enable you to bring
a broader range of skills to the workplace. Breadth will
offer you the flexibility to take on the many challenges
of a 21st century global work environment, as well as
opportunities for increased personal development.
More
Information
For subject descriptions, prerequisite and
timetable information, refer to the University
Handbook:
handbook.unimelb.edu.au
For more information about breadth studies at
the university, visit:
breadth.unimelb.edu.au
By studying subjects disctinct from the main
fields of study in your degree, you have the
chance to develop different skills, expand
your knowledge, learn complementary ways
of thinking about issues and problems,
and challenge your perceptions.
t challenge the ways you approach and
view the world
Contact details
t meet and share learning experiences with
students from other parts of the University
VCA and MCM Student Centre
234 St Kilda Road
Elisabeth Murdoch Building
Southbank VIC 3006
Breadth is an opportunity to:
t extend skills you already have or learn
new skills
t learn about something you're interested in
from outside the core disciplines of your
degree
2
t expand your knowledge beyond your core
disciplines
t prepare for graduate pathways or career
entry
Future students:
+61 3 9035 9495
Current students
13 MELB (13 6352)
What are the rules?
The rules or requirements for breadth study in
each of the New Generation undergraduate
degrees are basically the same. The
following requirements are common to all:
t At least 50 points (four subjects) of your
course must contribute to your breadth
studies*.
t No more than 37.5 points of breadth
(three subjects) can be taken at level 1.
t You are encouraged to take at least one
37.5 point (three subject) breadth track.
Learn more about tracks: http://breadth.
unimelb.edu.au/breadth/info/tracks.html
* Bachelor of Engineering students can
take between 37.5 points (three subjects)
and 50 points (four subjects) of breadth
study depending on their stream.
The links below will tell you more about any
breadth rules, requirements or exceptions that
may be specific to your degree. In general,
subjects in the Bachelor of Biomedicine,
Bachelor of Fine Arts, and third year capstone
subjects are not available as breadth.
Further information for Bachelor
of Music students is available at
the Breadth Requirements for the
Bachelor of Music website:
http://breadth.unimelb.edu.au/
breadth/info/Music.html
Do you see
yourself as
a music
teacher?
By studying the Diploma of
Music (Practical) concurrently
with any undergraduate degree
and selecting music for your
breadth subjects you can be
eligible for the Master of Music
(Performance Teaching).
For more information to map
out your study plan contact:
VCA and MCM Student Centre
+61 3 9035 9495.
breadth.unimelb.edu.au
3
Breadth at the Victorian College of the Arts
From 2012 the VCA is offering a range of specially designed subjects
across a range of artistic disciplines. As a student you will be welcomed
into a vibrant community of artists, students and staff who are committed
to pursuing the highest aspirations for contemporary cultural life.
What can I study?
Following is a list of subjects available to you as part of the breadth component of your degree.
To view full subject descriptions visit: handbook.unimelb.edu.au
Afro-Latin American Percussion Ensemble
t This subject gives participants the opportunity for an in-depth practical study of percussion techniques and repertoire. The material is
based on African derived drumming which over the centuries has continued to develop and flourish in the American continent. Classes
cover techniques on a variety of percussion instruments, the role of the various instruments in the ensemble, historical background and
improvisation styles. During the semester the ensemble rehearses and prepares material conducted and unconducted, suitable for public
performance or recording.
Building Community Media
t This subject examines how traditions of independent and community media are being reactivated in contemporary culture, from DIY
publishing and citizen journalism to digital storytelling and open source media. It examines how forms of community media are theorised
politically and philosophically (for example, the idea that information ‘wants to be free’) and how community media are ‘built’: how they are
sustained and organised socially. Through a series of case studies students consider key issues such as: the role of communications
technologies in community development, the future of ‘community media’ and what it means to seize the means of production in a
knowledge economy. Students engage in a series of assignments to be completed in written, video or audio essays.
Do You Hear the People Sing?
t This subject is a practical and theoretical study of some of the major musicals of the modern era through the lens of the large ensemble.
The subject comprises large ensemble singing classes with a lecture component embedded, using Music Theatre chorus repertoire to
explore part singing, harmony and dramatic intention of chorus songs within the context of understanding the role ensembles play in
music theatre performance. The subject concludes with a short performance featuring a sample of the repertoire covered.
Drawing on Animation – Intensive
t In this subject students learn animation under camera technique which is a drawing and erasing method on the same surface followed
by photographing each image with a digital still camera in order to create an animated film. The technique explores the immediacy of a
drawing language and experimental animation. Students study the craft and structure of animation, experimenting with drawing, stop
motion practices, object animation and collage all under camera.
Jazz: The Improvisatory Spirit
t This subject examines improvisation as it has manifested itself in jazz and other African American music. It is a lecture-based subject
focused on the spirit of improvisation and its essential nature taking into account the concepts of imagination, freedom and individual
expression.
4
Making Movies 1
t Making Movies 1 allows students with little or no background in filmmaking to be introduced to the fundamentals of the role of the film
Director, Writer and Producer, and to gain an insight into professional film production techniques. The subject explores topics such as
screenwriting, film directing, cinematography, film editing and post-production, actor direction, production aesthetics and film crew
organisation.
Poetics of the Body
t This subject explores the intricate links and parallels between the arts, science, philosophy, architecture, nature, cultural traditions,
mysticism, medicine (both western and eastern), law, and economics, through understandings of the human body. The subject is taught
by working artists, academics and guest speakers who are all experts in their fields and combines lectures and tutorials with workshops/
hands-on approaches in formal and more informal creative applications of theoretical knowledge.
Pop Song Writing
t This subject introduces the basics of song writing for the commercial music industry. Aspects of song form including the chorus and the
hook, lyric writing and industry requirements are examined. Pop Song Writing is delivered in two parts: lecture and workshop. Each lecture
is taught in a large group format and illuminates the fundamental principles of song writing. The workshop is a practical class forum
for the workshop of new pop songs and provides the opportunity for the individual development and showing of new songs and group
discussion of issues related to pop song composition. During the course students are required to engage in whole group discussion and
to present complete and ongoing pop songs.
The Body: Facts and Fictions
t Our changing notions of 'what it is to be human' affect how we represent ourselves. This practice-based subject focuses on figurative
drawing and is designed for students who have had little or no experience in visual art making. Students are introduced to specialist
drawing practices and 3D modelling through life drawing and related approaches to imaging the human form. The studio program
is delivered alongside formal lectures and seminars that explore the nexus between theory and practice by critically examining the
representation of the human figure in the context of significant visual art genres and pictorial convention. Projects are set in both the
theoretical and practical areas.
The Creative City
t Though ideas of urban creativity have a long history, over the last decade discourses of creativity have become central to debates about
the value and future of cities and communities in a global economy. Often these accounts of urban creativity are uncritically celebratory
or narrowly focussed on particular elites (e.g. Richard Florida’s “creative class”). While providing an introduction to key ideas in the field
of urban creativity, this subject explores alternative versions of creative cities and communities. In particular, the subject investigates the
design of creative spaces, creativity in institutional life, ‘informal creativity’ and the role of creativity in new conceptions of urbanism, such
as ‘inter-cultural’ or ‘post-carbon’ cities.
breadth.unimelb.edu.au
5
Breadth at the Melbourne
Conservatorium of Music
Ensembles
The Melbourne Conservatorium offers a wide range of ensemble options as breadth to students who are studying outside of the Bachelor of
Music. Ensembles available as breadth include:
Flute
Early Voices
Saxophone
Baroque
Chamber Music
Choir
African Drum and Dance
Gamelan in Modern Indonesia
Brass
Clarinet
Guitar
String
Recorder
Big Band
Shakuhachi
Orchestra
Symphonic Wind
World Music Choir
Entry requirements for all subjects at the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music range from no experience necessary, to audition.
Refer to the handbook and http://www.conservatorium.unimelb.edu.au/breadth/ensemble for further information.
What else can I study at the
Melbourne Conservatorium?
Discovering Music
Guitar Cultures and Practice 1 & 2
Musics of the World
Medieval and Early Modern Music
Music Since the French Revolution
Music in Indigenous Societies
Music Psychology
Music and Health
Sex, Death and the Ecstatic in Music
Music Language 1
Music Language 2
Music Language 3
Composition Studies
Orchestration
Music and Film Since 1900
Music Criticism
Latin American Music and Culture
In the Groove
6
African Drum and Dance
t This subject is designed to impart skills and knowledge central to music making processes in various West African cultures. Integrating
practical and academic study the subject focuses on understanding the musical complexities of West African music and dance both in its
socio-cultural context and through hands-on participation at weekly rehearsals and supporting lectures, culminating in an end of semester
performance. It investigates structural components and procedures common to many African music forms and explores their application
to particular pieces. It provides simple and practical methodologies for mastering the rhythmic complexities in West African music.
Composition Studies
t This subject introduces students without previous composition tuition to strategies for thinking about and constructing original music.
Students write chamber music based on instruments available within the class. The subject is divided into three 4-week modules, each
beginning with a process of sketching and culminating in a short completed project to be performed in class.
Discovering Music
t This subject is an introduction to the main elements of music for non-music students. It explores fundamental musical concepts including
rhythm, melody, harmony, timbre, texture, dynamics and form, and how they interrelate in the different musical styles. Although the main
emphasis is on Western art music, examples from popular music and non-Western musical traditions and from popular music are also
included. Students are encouraged to analyse and bring to class examples of interest to them. Active listening, as opposed to passive
hearing of music, is a key element in this subject. Students develop a range of critical skills that allow them to think conceptually about
music and therefore to understand music at a deeper level.
t Students will acquire a set of tools and a working vocabulary for discussing, describing and analysing music. Through their class
presentation and essay they will develop the ability to apply these tools to musical examples of relevance to them.
Guitar Cultures and Practice
t This subject explores a range of popular guitar styles that have had widespread impact over the past century, including blues, rock and global
folk styles. As well as examining relevant literature and recordings, students are instructed in the performance of basic examples of these styles.
Musics of the World
t This subject provides an introduction to the study of musical cultures from selected parts of the world. It examines musical responses in
different social structures and physical environments and the relationships between musical structures, sonic and aesthetic preferences
and belief systems. Case studies are drawn from North, Central and Southeast Asia, the Indian subcontinent, Melanesia and central
Africa. Students are encouraged and assisted to pursue independent investigation into a musical culture in which they have an interest,
and will have an opportunity to experience some music-making in Indonesian and African music.
Music Psychology
t This subject encompasses an initial exploration of music psychology research. Selected researchers within the field including music
therapists, behavioural neuroscientists, neuropsychologists, and experimental psychologists outline recent and current practical research
involving music across the lifespan. Information is provided on the relationship between music and the brain, as well as music and the
body. The development of musical skills at different life stages is outlined, from birth to old age. Each lecture is assessed by weekly online
quizzes and students select one topic for specialisation for the final assignment.
Music and Film Since 1900
t Students develop an understanding of the multiple roles of music in relation to film over the last century. The impacts of musical and
operatic genres on film narrative are explored as well as different theoretical and directorial concepts of the function of the film score. The
film musical is also considered as a genre. These issues are examined with reference to selected films.
Music and Health
t This subject provides an overview of the ways that music can be used to promote physical health and healthy behaviours for a range of people.
Topics covered include music for expression, relaxation, anxiety reduction and communication. Students are involved in experiential activities
underpinned by theoretical knowledge. They also contribute to weekly web-based discussion that furthers understanding of topics covered in class.
Music in Indigenous Societies
t This subject examines the diversity of musical expression that arises as a response to particular physical environments among various
Indigenous societies. Using seminal ethnomusicological writings and recordings, case studies are drawn from rainforest societies in
Africa, Asia, South America and Melanesia, societies on the rim of the Arctic Circle, and the nomadic herder societies of the grasslands
and taiga of southern Siberia and Mongolia. The subject explores how sound, speech, song and ceremonies are used to reflect the
social, spiritual, sensory and sonic relationships between people and nature. Students are encouraged to make intellectual and creative
connections between acoustic epistemologies, sonic awareness, sound environments and musical responses in their own society.
breadth.unimelb.edu.au
7
CONTACT US
VCA and MCM Student Centre
234 St Kilda Road
Elisabeth Murdoch Building
Southbank VIC 3006
Future students
+61 3 9035 9495
Current students
13 MELB (13 6352)
Photography:
Front cover: Vocal Ensemble. Photographer:
Drew Echberg 2011
Page 2: VCA School of Contemporary Music
performing at the Kelvin Club (Sept 2011),
Photographer: Sav Schulman
Page 3: Kaori Kata, Attune to Earth (2010),
Photographer: Drew Echberg 2011
Page 3: Percussion Concert with special guest
Jan Williams (USA) at Iwaki Auditorium (May
2010). Photographer: Jeff Busby
Page 5: African drumming and dance class.
Photographer: Drew Echberg 2011
Page 6: Symphonic Wind Ensemble 2011.
Photographer: Drew Echberg 2011
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breadth.unimelb.edu.au
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Authorised by: Office of the Provost
December 2011.
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