Course Title: Individual Learning Project

Part A: Course Overview

Course Title: Individual Learning Project

Credit Points: 12

Course Code	Campus	Career	School	Learning Mode	Teaching Period(s)
PERF1080	City Campus	Undergraduate	345H Media and Communication	Face-to-Face	Sem 2 2007
PERF1080	City Campus	Undergraduate	360H Education	Face-to-Face	Sem 2 2006

Course Coordinator: Dr Kipps Horn

Course Coordinator Phone: +61 3 9925 4312

Course Coordinator Email:Kipps.Horn@rmit.edu.au

Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities

PERF1078 Negotiated Group Project 1

Course Description

This course aims to provide students with an opportunity to further develop an understanding and appreciation of
• the processes involved in developing and presenting a product
• individual and small group work, negotiation and allocation of tasks
In this course, the knowledge and skills of the courses being undertaken in the program will be revisited with specific emphasis on the interface between the individual and the industry.
It is essentially a negotiation-based subject. This is one of the core courses to be completed by all students in the program.

Study Program
Topics in this course might include:
• Processes of planning, developing, producing and presenting a CD
• Marketing, publicity and management strategies involved in promoting a product, including a publicity kit, press release, and performance launch
• Maintaining an effective industry network, including an up-to-date database on the music industry.
• Maintaining and further development of a database of performance venues

Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development

At the conclusion of the course students should for example
• be able to demonstrate and assess the process of planning and developing a product
• be able to relate and evaluate information about venues and in the planning of events.
• possess the knowledge to use these skills in seeking a competitive advantage.
To encourage a critical and analytic attitude to materials, the course is integrated with other courses in the program.

Overview of Learning Activities

The content and delivery of this course is negotiated between the student and the lecturer. A contract is establish setting out what will be accomplished and produced during the semester. A formal log will be maintained throughout the duration of the project.

Students will acquire readings consisting of pertinent references, journal and newspaper articles. If required (and possible to arrange), people working in the music industry may present specific issues of relevance and interest to project topics. Teaching staff will take part in discussion groups as required.
Students will be expected to share their ideas and experiences with others, be actively involved in planning their learning experiences, particularly the nature of their practical experiences in industry-based settings, undertake on-line information searches and contribute to continuous quality improvement through informal discussions with staff and participation in formal evaluation processes.

Overview of Learning Resources

Recommended References:
Baker, B. (1993). One-hundred One Ways to Make Money Right Now In The Music Business. San Diego, California: Rockpress Publishing Co.
Bjorneberg, P. (1990). Exploring Careers in Music. Reston, Virginia: Music Educators National Conference.
Buttwinick, M. (1994). How To Make A Living As A Musician: So You Never Have To Have A Day Job Again!. Glendale, California: Sonata Publishing.
Centre for Professional Development. (1997). Making it Happen: The Cultural and Entertainment Industries Handbook. Kew: Centre for Professional Development.
Clevo, J. (1993). Networking In The Music Industry: Making The Contacts You Need To Succeed In The Music Business. San Diego, California: Rockpress Publishing Co.
Dorf, and Appel, M. R. (1989). Gigging: The Musician’s Underground Touring Directory. Cincinnati, Ohio: Writer’s Digest Books.
Gibson, J. (1990). Playing For Pay: How To Be A Working Musician. Cincinnati, Ohio: Writer’s Digest Books.
Henderson, B. (1996). Running Your Rock Band. New York: Schirmer Books.
Kimpel, D. (1993). Networking In The Music Business. Cincinnati, Ohio: Writer’s Digest Books.
Martin, G. (Ed.). (1983). Making music: the guide to writing, performing, & recording. London: Pan.
Mitchell, E. (c1995). Support networks and organisations: student workbook plus teacher notes. Port Melbourne: AUSMUSIC.
Pinskey, R. (1995). You Can Hype Anything: Creative Tactics & Advice For Anyone With A Product, Business Or Talent To Promote. New York: Carol Publishing Group.
Rapaport, D.S. (1992). How To Make & Sell Your Own Recording: A Guide For The Nineties (Rev. 4th edition). Upper Saddle River, New Jersey: Prentice-Hall, Inc.
Shoemaker, J. (1989). Note By Note: A Guide To Concert Production. Oakland, California: Redwood Cultural Work.
Wadhams, W. (1990). Sound Advice: The Musician’s Guide To The Record Industry. New York: Schirmer Books.
Weissman, D. (c1990). Music business: career opportunities and self-defence. New York: Crown Publishers.

Overview of Assessment

Assessment in this course will consist of two components: a hurdle task and the major project.
A Project Proposal (Hurdle Task) must be submitted to and approved by the lecturer.
A pass grade for each assessment task is required for satisfactory completion of this course.

Hurdle Task:
Identify the task or topic of your Negotiated Group Project 2
Task: Write a formal proposal for your major project. This should include a schema
(overall plan) with some indication of timelines (as applicable).
Length: Not more than 500 words
Review process: This proposal will be reviewed by the lecturer, and approved if it is considered to be of sufficient scope and rigour.
Due Date: Monday, week 4 or preferably earlier.

Major Project 100%
Task: Once reviewed and approved by the lecturer, complete and submit your major
project.
Length/Scope: As agreed and appropriate to the task.
Topics might include:
• Planning, development, production and presentation of a compact disc
• Development of an individual home page on the world wide web
• Development of a database of performance venues
• The demonstration of advanced skills in researching, analysing and using information via the submission of a major paper of publishable standard.
• A portfolio of work, including a demo tape
• A lecture demonstration of major scope

Due Date: To be submitted or postmarked no later than Week 13 of semester.