MUSIC PRODUCTION (MPD)

Arranging & Composition 1/2/3

Arranging & Composition is a series of three modules that are concerned with musical organization. Students will examine and explore a variety of approaches for realising musical ideas and music compositions, and they will also study genre-specific concepts for writing lead lines and accompaniments that make up various genres. The learning activities will utilise found objects, acoustic instruments, and computers.

Critical and Analytical Thinking

This module aims to equip students with skills in critical and analytical thinking, which includes the ability to evaluate different perspectives, articulate a point of view and support it with relevant and credible evidence. The module also provides students with opportunities to practise information literacy, and critical and analytical thinking skills through the exploration of contemporary local and global issues.

Education and Career Guidance 1: Personal Development

This module aims to help you discover your strengths, values and interests. It also supports you in making informed educational and career choices to achieve your career aspirations.

MAD Taster

Choose 2 out of 5 taster modules.

Music Production Techniques 1/2/3

Music Production Techniques is a series of three modules that develops students in the field of sound recording and engineering. Students will learn the techniques of recording and mixing using industry standard hardware and software. Through listening exercises, students will learn to critically analyse elements that make a good recording and mix. They will eventually develop the vocabulary and skills to replicate or produce works of commercial standards.

Musicianship & Performance 1/2/3

Musicianship & Performance is a series of three modules that aims to develop the student’s musicianship and performance abilities through ear-training, basic keyboard skills and students' exploration in various customised practice methods for their respective instruments. Students will also learn to read, reproduce, notate musical elements, improvise and arrange for live ensemble performances.

Narrative Thinking (NAT)

This module aims to equip students with the skills to critically evaluate the elements of narratives used in a variety of contexts, and to appreciate and harness the power of storytelling in our daily life. Students will analyse narratives to connect and contextualise self to society, and learn to craft impactful personal narratives to inspire or influence others.

PlayLab

Creativity, as well as the ability to explore problems through transdisciplinary lens, are key skills needed to solve complex real-world issues. PlayLab aims to cultivate these skillsets, by getting students to understand how we can disrupt the thinking process, to trigger creative ideas, in a playful, purposeful and meaningful way. PlayLab is an interdisciplinary, studio-based project module that aims to teach students how to approach complex problems in a systematic yet creative way, through playful and creative problem solving. To further expand their scope in generating novel and innovative solutions, they will also be introduced to prototyping with technology. These skills will provide them with opportunities to arrive at solutions, from a holistic standpoint, beyond the parameters of their respective disciplines.

Polywide Elective

Principles of Design

Design plays a vital role in shaping and improving the user experience across all disciplines in the creative industry. It is a basic skillset that is core to the creation of effective animations, games, videos, marketing campaigns, etc that users interact with daily in the real-world. This module aims to cultivate these skillsets through the introduction of the basic principles of design. Students will engage in hands-on photography, digital imagining and illustration exercises to expose them to the importance of visual hierarchy and flow, colour theory, typography and other core design elements. They will undergo training to understand the importance of the design process from developing creative concepts, to sketching for communication and finally art directing effective designs for their users across various platforms.

Production Workshop 1/2/3

Production Workshop is a series of three modules that provides a facilitated time and space for students to engage with the entire production process, while giving opportunities to explore connections between the concepts introduced in the other modules. Through exercises, group projects, presentations and reflections, students will cultivate their sensitivity and approaches to the goals of the music production process.

Sports For Life

Sports for Life (SFL) is a physical education programme that has become part of the Graduation Criteria for ALL Year 1 students matriculated since AY2018/19. During this e-learning Semester, Year 1 students can choose their preferred module from a selection of 9 sports. SFL aims to encourage students to lead an active lifestyle by following a holistic e-learning package with videos and supplementary materials that focuses on acquiring knowledge, rules of the game, basic sports techniques and maintaining fitness. Besides physical activity, the e-learning curriculum also comprises of syllabus on Mental Wellness and Personal Leadership using 7 Habits of Highly Effective College Students.

Story Craft

Stories are the most powerful way to communicate. A good story captures our attention, makes us feel, shapes the way we think and even influences our actions. Telling a good story is essential in the media and creative industry whether you choose to be a writer or a journalist, a games developer or a designer, a brand specialist or an animated content creator. Through the study of storytelling, students will recognise the power of story in connecting people and shaping the way we see the world. They will learn key concepts from ideation to character development, story world building and narrative structure. They will examine themes and create original stories that will resonate with a target audience. They will learn tools in video storytelling. Ultimately, students will present their story in the form of a media product using audio visual technology.

Human Experience and Behaviour

Psychology is the foundation for understanding users. This is integral to the user experience (UX) process which underpins the MAD core modules. In this module, students will learn how humans process information, how our personalities and motivations shape us, and how media and the people around us influence our emotions and behaviours. They will also learn basic concepts in secondary research to enrich their understanding of users, audiences, or stakeholders to create more effective ideas that appeal best to their users, audiences or stakeholders.

Arranging & Composition 1/2/3

Arranging & Composition is a series of three modules that are concerned with musical organization. Students will examine and explore a variety of approaches for realising musical ideas and music compositions, and they will also study genre-specific concepts for writing lead lines and accompaniments that make up various genres. The learning activities will utilise found objects, acoustic instruments, and computers.

Education And Career Guidance 2

This module helps you to discover and develop the skills, knowledge and attitudes needed for work effectiveness. Upon completion of the module, you should be able to develop professional skills and build interpersonal relationships, acquire the skills to seek and secure work, develop the ability to adapt and respond effectively to changes at work, and appreciate and respect the diversity of individuals, culture and work environment. You would also learn to be financially savvy consumers.

MAD Studio Project

The MAD Studio Project aims to build on the interdisciplinary practices taught in PlayLab in order to further develop students’ ability to generate new ideas and contribute to innovations. Students will work in mixed groups and take on complex, real-world industry projects. They will draw on the domain knowledge and skills from their own tracks, as well as those of their peers from other tracks, in order to gain a deeper understanding of an issue, and transform them into new knowledge which confronts the challenges of the present world. This module is a facilitated time and space for students to explore across the disciplines of creative perspectives, which necessarily includes research and design, problem-solving and communication of ideas. The teaching facilitation will also embrace the design inquiry cycle that enables learners to mind shift and lead into a convergence of viewpoints.

MAD White Space 1

MAD White Space 2

Music Production Techniques 1/2/3

Music Production Techniques is a series of three modules that develops students in the field of sound recording and engineering. Students will learn the techniques of recording and mixing using industry standard hardware and software. Through listening exercises, students will learn to critically analyse elements that make a good recording and mix. They will eventually develop the vocabulary and skills to replicate or produce works of commercial standards.

Musicianship & Performance 1/2/3

Musicianship & Performance is a series of three modules that aims to develop the student’s musicianship and performance abilities through ear-training, basic keyboard skills and students' exploration in various customised practice methods for their respective instruments. Students will also learn to read, reproduce, notate musical elements, improvise and arrange for live ensemble performances.

Polywide Elective

Production Workshop 1/2/3

Production Workshop is a series of three modules that provides a facilitated time and space for students to engage with the entire production process, while giving opportunities to explore connections between the concepts introduced in the other modules. Through exercises, group projects, presentations and reflections, students will cultivate their sensitivity and approaches to the goals of the music production process.

Sustainable Innovation Project

Work in multi-disciplinary groups to apply the design thinking method and tools backed by research and qualitative data, to tackle local issues mapped to the UN SDGs. You will also tap on what you have learnt in the CCC modules that come before this module to create sustainable and innovative prototype solutions for real-life issues faced by a local community in need. In the process, you will develop empathy for the community you have identified for your project and a better understanding of yourselves.

Ensemble Lab

Ensemble Lab is a laboratory for exploring ensemble interaction. Students will apply musical skills that they have learnt in years one and two to musical ensemble performance situations. Students will produce a number of live performances/performance videos of improvised and prestructured material.

Internship Programme

This module aims to immerse students with the real-world industry experience. This programme comprises a 22-week enhanced internship programme integrating a structured learning outcome which facilitates authentic learning.

Polywide Elective

Portfolio Development

Students plan and produce four contrasting works to be included in their professional portfolio. The projects showcase a variety of skills and knowledge that they have acquired during the course. Students are expected to present a proposal, arrange, compose, rehearse, record, and produce their own original work.

Show Production

To equip students with the ability to set-up, mix and run a ‘live’ show/concert. Students will be able to perform both FOH (Front of House) and monitor mixes and be able to handle the logistics, set-up, stage management, and running of a ‘live’ show/concert.

Transdisciplinary Project

The Final-Year Project is an opportunity for students to integrate, apply and deepen the knowledge, skillsets and competencies (both technical and general) they have gained over the course of their study. Building on the skills taught in PlayLab and the MAD Studio Project, students will work in mixed groups to tackle complex real-world issues through industry projects. They will learn how to research and generate new, innovative solutions that go beyond a single domain, while considering other factors such as meeting a business-end, dealing with resource constraints, as well as taking advantage of social, cultural and economic trends. They will also learn how to communicate with their stakeholders and manage a project. By the end of this module, students will deepen their skills in acquiring and synthesising knowledge from across disciplines and develop resilience and an entrepreneurial spirit in tackling complex problems.