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MU2527: INTRODUCTION TO ETHNOMUSICOLOGY (2023-2024)

Last modified: 31 Jul 2023 11:33


Course Overview

This course offers students an introduction to the field of ethnomusicology, including the historical development of the field, how to conduct fieldwork and some of the field’s key theoretical perspectives. The course will introduce students to a range of musical traditions from around the world through case studies that demonstrate the close relationship between music, society and culture (topics include nationalism, colonialism, identity, race and globalisation). Teaching will take the form of lecture-seminars, reading group sessions and tutorials. The course also has a strong practical element where students will have the opportunity to conduct ethnomusicological fieldwork including ethnographic interviews.

Course Details

Study Type Undergraduate Level 2
Term Second Term Credit Points 15 credits (7.5 ECTS credits)
Campus Aberdeen Sustained Study No
Co-ordinators
  • Dr Matthew Machin-Autenrieth

Qualification Prerequisites

  • Programme Level 2

What courses & programmes must have been taken before this course?

  • Any Undergraduate Programme (Studied)

What other courses must be taken with this course?

None.

What courses cannot be taken with this course?

None.

Are there a limited number of places available?

No

Course Description

Ethnomusicologists are interested in the study of music (broadly defined) in its social, cultural and political contexts. Rather than focusing exclusively on the musical object in and of itself, we are interested in ‘the study of people making music’ (Titon 1989: 2015). Ethnomusicologists examine the ways in which music is connected to and constructive of broader social structures. Usually drawing on extensive ethnographic research, ethnomusicologists seek to understand how and why music is performed, and what it means for the musicians and audiences involved. While the discipline is usually associated with the study of non-western or ‘world musics’, ethnomusicologists do in fact explore any musical tradition including western classical music and popular music. Therefore, ethnomusicology should not be defined by its object of study, but rather by its approach to the study of music.

The course is designed to give students an introduction to the field, its historical development and some of the key debates that characterise current research. The course will begin with an overview of the history of ethnomusicology as a discipline and students will be introduced to the range of methodological approaches that ethnomusicologists take in the study of music in its socio-cultural contexts. The course will be organised according to theoretical themes, where students will examine music’s relationship with issues such as identity, class, nationalism and globalisation. Each lecture will focus on a particular theoretical trope, which will be analysed through case studies from a range of musical traditions. The course is not meant to be an exhaustive overview of the discipline, but rather is intended to introduce students to some of the key debates and themes in the field necessary for further study.


Contact Teaching Time

Information on contact teaching time is available from the course guide.

Teaching Breakdown

More Information about Week Numbers


Details, including assessments, may be subject to change until 30 August 2024 for 1st term courses and 20 December 2024 for 2nd term courses.

Summative Assessments

Report: Individual

Assessment Type Summative Weighting 100
Assessment Weeks Feedback Weeks

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Feedback

Oral formative feedback will be provided throughout the course.

Learning Outcomes
Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
Sorry, we don't have this information available just now. Please check the course guide on MyAberdeen or with the Course Coordinator

Formative Assessment

There are no assessments for this course.

Resit Assessments

Report: Individual

Assessment Type Summative Weighting
Assessment Weeks Feedback Weeks

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Feedback
Learning Outcomes
Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
Sorry, we don't have this information available just now. Please check the course guide on MyAberdeen or with the Course Coordinator

Course Learning Outcomes

Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
FactualRememberILO’s for this course are available in the course guide.

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