Master of Music

There are two routes which can be followed to achieve the Master of Music

A. Master of Music (by dissertation)

B. Master of Music (by coursework and research report)

Irrespective of whether route A or route B is taken, the purpose of the MMus is to produce a graduate who is able to

• produce a high level of professional and academic competence in music;
• engage in sophisticated problem solving;
• design and conduct appropriate research and work autonomously where necessary;
• demonstrate an advanced critical awareness in appropriate disciplinary areas;
• demonstrate leadership in professional relationships.

The purpose of the qualification is also to enhance the career of the postgraduate by preparing him/her for a leadership position in an appropriate disciplinary area of music.

Further, the purpose of the qualification is to produce postgraduates who can contribute to the economy of South Africa by engagement as researchers and leaders in the field of Arts and Culture.

Formally Accredited Learning and Other Qualities

The typical applicant has a Bachelor of Arts with Honours degree in the field of Music, or a Bachelor of Music degree, which needs normally to have been achieved with a certain minimum percentage, or an equivalent University-approved qualification in a relevant discipline - consult the admission information of the University.

Recognition of Prior Learning

Applicants who fall outside of the normal admissions process who can demonstrate to the satisfaction of the University that they have a qualification or experiential- or work based learning which has taken the learner to an equivalent level of a qualification specified above (under Formally Accredited Learning), may be considered for admission and/or for the recognition of prior accredited and/or prior experiential learning. Applicants who, after such assessment, are deemed to have sufficient potential but are in need of further academic development, may be required to broaden their curriculum to include preliminary programmes prior to admission or parallel programmes after admission.

BY DISSERTATION

1. The qualifying learner is able to access and process information using a range of technologies

1.1 use full range of terminology and key concepts in different disciplines in South African and international literature

1.2 use specialist primary and secondary research resources, materials methodologies

1.3 show extensive in-depth meta-cognitive understanding of own position in relation to debates within a text

1.4 apply advanced competency in musicology.

2. The qualifying learner is able to communicate and produce information using a range of technologies

2.1 show sophisticated understanding of generic, academic, oral and written conventions for discipline-specific content

2.2 understand current debates and research findings required for dissertation.

3. The qualifying learner demonstrates critical analytic competence and problem solving

3.1 apply knowledge of critical and analytic approaches to subject matter of discipline

3.2 contribute to furthering understandings within the discipline

3.3 demonstrate competence in basic disciplinary knowledge and specialised knowledge in focused area.

4. The qualifying learner demonstrates research competence

4.1 apply knowledge of research methods and their application

4.2 apply an in-depth understanding of relevant literature

4.3 apply advanced knowledge of musicological research methods and discography.

5. The qualifying learner shows competence to manage her/himself

5.1 apply knowledge of the importance of individual responsibility in generating ideas for executing a research study

5.2 possess advanced knowledge needed for self directed independent learning.

6. The qualifying learner demonstrates social competence

6.1 know when to seek academic interaction with others in order to test your own ideas or to gain stimulation

6.2 apply advanced knowledge of music production management.

7. The qualifying learner shows ecosystemic competence

7.1 have an in-depth knowledge of the world eco-systemically.

1. The qualifying learner shows disciplinary and/or professional competence (can substitute field of enquiry for discipline):

8.1 read independently and understand the concepts, methods, theories and analytical processes which are accepted and/or contested in the discipline

8.2 explore relate fields of enquiry as required by the dissertation

8.3 apply professional competence in writing music.

BY COURSEWORK AND RESEARCH REPORT

1. The qualifying learner is able to access and process information using a range of technologies

1.1 use full range of terminology and key concepts in different disciplines in South African and international literature

1.2 use specialist primary and secondary research resources, materials methodologies

1.3 show extensive in-depth meta-cognitive understanding off own position in relation to debates within a text

1.4 apply advanced competency in musicology.

2. The qualifying learner is able to communicate and produce information using a range of technologies

2.1 show sophisticated understanding of generic, academic, oral and written conventions for discipline-specific content

2.2 understand current debates and research findings necessary for research report.

3. The qualifying learner demonstrates critical analytic competence and problem solving

3.1 apply knowledge of critical and analytic approaches to subject matter of discipline

3.2 apply knowledge of range of problems and possible solutions within the field.

4. The qualifying learner demonstrates research competence

4.1 apply knowledge of research methods and their application

4.2 apply an in-depth understanding of relevant literature

4.3 apply advanced knowledge of discography.

5. The qualifying learner shows competence to manage her/himself

5.1 apply knowledge of the importance of individual responsibility in generating ideas for executing a research study

5.2 possess advanced knowledge needed for self directed independent learning.

6. The qualifying learner demonstrates social competence

6.1 understands group dynamics and roles and when to use them for desired outcomes

6.2 demonstrates an awareness of diversity in other contexts

6.3 apply advanced knowledge of music production management.

7. The qualifying learner shows ecosystemic competence

7.1 have an in-depth knowledge of the world eco-systemically

7.2 have an understanding of the relationship between his/her discipline and others.

1. The qualifying learner shows disciplinary and/or professional competence (can substitute field of enquiry for discipline):

8.1 understand and use the concepts, methods, theories and analytical processes which are accepted and/or contested in the discipline

8.2 demonstrate competence in advanced disciplinary knowledge and specialised knowledge in focused area of research

8.3 apply professional competence in writing music.

Critical Cross-field Outcomes

a) "Identifying and solving problems in which responses display that responsible decisions using critical and creative thinking have been made" - see Exit Level Outcomes (ELO) 3 & 4.

b) "Working with others as a member of a team, group, organisation, community" - see ELO 6.

c) "Organising and managing oneself and one's activities responsibly and effectively" - see ELO 5.

d) "Collecting, analysing, organising and critically evaluating information" - see ELO 1.

e) "Communicating effectively using visual, mathematical and/or language skills in the modes of oral and/or written persuasion" - see ELO 2 & 4.

f) "Using science and technology effectively and critically, showing responsibility towards the environment and health of others" - see ELO 1, 2, 4 & 7.

g) "Demonstrating an understanding of the world as a set of related systems by recognising that problem-solving contexts does not exist in isolation" - see ELO 7.

h) "Contributing to the full personal development of each learner and the social and economic development of society at large, by making it the underlying intention of any programme of learning to make an individual aware of the importance of:

• (i) "Reflecting on and exploring a variety of strategies to learn more effectively" - see ELO 5.
• (ii) "Participating as responsible citizens in the life of local, national and global communities" - see ELO 7; note also that learners act in accordance with the code of conduct of the University and, where relevant, that of the professional discipline being studied.
• (iii) "Being culturally and aesthetically sensitive across a range of social contexts" - see ELO 6.
• (iv) "Exploring education and career opportunities" - see ELO 5.
• (v) "Developing entrepreneurial opportunities" - see ELO 7 & 8.

BY DISSERTATION

The qualifying learner is able to

1.1 Use sophisticated selection and search strategies for appropriate databases and information resources

1.2 Process and critically evaluate different kinds of data and texts

1.3 Articulate own position within debates.

2.1 Use appropriate written conventions and representational technologies to sustain clear coherent argument throughout dissertation

2.2 Present effectively in oral form, ideas, theories discipline-specific information.

3.1 Develop and critically examine innovative approaches

3.2 Integrate information, theory and context to solve problems

3.3 Critically evaluate limitations of different theoretical models and suggest alternatives

3.4 Demonstrate a professional ability to evaluate musical performance.

4.1 Assess significance of findings in published research

4.2 Design, execute and write-up a scholarly dissertation in a satisfactory written style that contributes to the advancement of knowledge

OR replicate an existing study in a different context

OR design a circumscribed investigation.

5.1 Show the ability to be a purposeful, self directed resourceful scholar and researcher

5.2 Demonstrate a capacity to balance and manage a range of academic and age commitments.

6.1 Demonstrate independence, initiative creativity, purposefulness and leaderships

6.2 Demonstrate professional practical application of music production management.

1. Plan, execute and evaluate research and practice within an eco-systemic paradigm at an advanced level.

8.1 Apply concepts, methods, theories and analytical processes to information and situations relating to the research project

8.2 Understand the connections and conflicts between writers in the field and articulate how the project is situated in relation to them

8.3 Apply knowledge and methods from related fields, where necessary.

BY COURSEWORK AND RESEARCH REPORT

The qualifying learner is able to

1.1 Use sophisticated selection and search strategies for appropriate databases and information resources

1.2 Find information in order to articulate own position within debates

1.3 Use sophisticated critical evaluation of different kinds of data and texts

1.4 Possess extensive, in-depth volume of texts and data across a wide range.

2.1 Use appropriate written conventions and representational technologies to sustain clear coherent argument throughout research report

2.2 Present effectively in oral form, ideas, theories discipline-specific information.

3.1 Develop and critically examine innovative approaches

3.2 Integrate information, theory and context to solve problems

3.3 Critically evaluate limitations of different theoretical models and suggest alternatives

3.4 Demonstrate a professional ability to evaluate musical performance.

4.1 Assess significance of findings in published research

4.2 Design, execute and write-up a scholarly research report in a satisfactory written style that contributes to the advancement of knowledge

OR replicate an existing study in a different context

OR design a circumscribed investigation.

5.1 Show the ability to be a purposeful, self directed resourceful scholar and researcher

5.2 Demonstrate a capacity to balance and manage a range of academic and age commitments.

6.1 Solve problems effectively and demonstrate leadership, independence and purposefulness where appropriate

6.2 Work constructively with diversity within a dynamic situation

6.3 Demonstrate professional practical application of music production management.

1. Plan, execute and evaluate research and practice within an eco-systemic paradigm at an advanced level.

8.1 Apply concepts, methods, theories and analytical processes to information and situations relating to the research project

8.2 Apply disciplinary knowledge to self-motivated enquiry

8.3 Understand the connections and conflicts between writers in the field and articulate how the project is situated in relation to them

8.4 Apply knowledge and methods from related fields, where necessary.

Integrated Assessment

The dissertation or research report is a form of integrated assessment.

ASSOCIATED VALUES

BY DISSERTATION

The qualifying learner is aware of the importance of the need to

1. Commit him/herself to evaluate published research.

2.1 Produce a dissertation which respects and acknowledges the ownership of intellectual property (Bibliography)

2.2 Adhere to ethical standards of discipline applicable to research project.

3.1 Be sensitive with regard to different ways of constructing knowledge

3.2 Recognise importance of applying knowledge and creating works in an ethically sensitive manner.

1. Commit him/herself to ethical research and responsible decision making.
2. Pursue excellence accountability and resourcefulness.
3. Respect and value research participants and colleagues and what they have to offer.

7.1 Appreciate and deal sensitively with the multiple perspectives of people

7.2 Value the ability to adapt and live with change.

1. Adhere to the ethical standards of the discipline as they apply to the research project.

BY COURSEWORK AND RESEARCH REPORT

The qualifying learner is aware of the importance of the need to

1. Commit him/herself to evaluate published research.

2.1 Produce a research report which respects and acknowledges the ownership of intellectual property (Bibliography)

2.2 Adhere to ethical standards of discipline applicable to research project.

3.1 Be sensitive with regard to different ways of constructing knowledge

3.2 Recognise importance of applying knowledge and creating works in an ethically sensitive manner.

1. Commit him/herself to ethical research and responsible decision making.
2. Pursue excellence accountability and resourcefulness.
3. Commit him/herself to collaborative processes.

7.1 Appreciate and deal sensitively with the multiple perspectives of people

7.2 Value the ability to adapt and live with change.

8.1 Adhere to the ethical standards of the discipline as they apply to the research project

8.2 Be sensitive to the ethical implications of own practice.