WORLD MUSIC
INSTRUCTOR: JOHN ANDERSON
Fall 2009
Course: MUHL 3721Y World Music
Telephone: (587) 777 2728
Email: john.anderson@uleth.ca
CDs: Excursions in World Music, 5th ed., ed. Bruno Nettl
Time: Saturday 1300-1550
Room: TBD
Note: There is a $20 cost for the African drumming lessons
COURSE OBJECTIVES
Why study world music? There are many reasons, but perhaps the most important are pleasure
and understanding. The only pre-requisites are a curious ear and an inquisitive mind. As modern
people try to locate themselves in a world that is changing with bewildering speed, they find
music especially rewarding, for music is among the most tenacious of cultural elements. Music
symbolizes a people’s way of life; it represents a distillation of cultural style.
The study of music in culture is referred to as ethnomusicology. Some ethnomusicologists define
it as the study of music as culture, underlining the fact that music is a way of organizing human
activity. We use the term “culture” as anthropologists do: culture is a people’s way of life, learned
and transmitted through the centuries of adapting to the natural and human world.
Ethnomusicology is the study of music in the context of human life.
People make music in two ways: they make or construct the idea of music—what it is (and is not)
and what it does—and they make or produce the sounds that we hear. Although we all
experience music as something “out there” in the world, our response to music depends on the
ideas we associate with that music, and those ideas come from the people who carry our culture.
In other words, people make music into a cultural domain, with associated sets of ideas and
activities. This course seeks to introduce the student to some of these major world musical
cultures.
Assessment
ASSIGNMENT
WEIGHT
Eight (8) listening journals
Eight (8) presentations
Tests 1-4
40%
40%
20%
GRADES
Numerical grades will be based on the following system.
A+
B+
C+
D+
95-100
82-85
70-73
58-61
A
B
C
D
90-94
78-81
66-69
50-57
ABCF
86-89
74-77
62-65
00-49
Late assignments will be deducted 50% per week.
SCHEDULE
September 12
Introduction
19
26
Studying Music of the World’s Cultures
The Music of India
October
3
10
17
24
31
Test 1 - The Music of the Middle East
No class--Thanksgiving
The Music of China
The Music of Indonesia
Test 2 - The Music of Japan
November
7
14
21
28
The Music of Sub-Saharan Africa
Test 3 - African Drumming Lessons
The Music of Latin America
The Music of The Caribbean
December
5
Test 4 - The Music of Native America
Plagiarism, cheating or other forms of misconduct will result in failure of part or all of the course
components and will be reported. See the University of Lethbridge Calendar for details of the
University’s policies with respect to student conduct.
Students who fail to write final exams must provide satisfactory evidence of illness or extenuating
circumstances AND must have the approval of the Dean for a makeup exam. For missed exams,
a grade of F (0 marks) will be given.
LISTENING JOURNALS AND PRESENTATIONS
The listening journals are due each week at the end of your presentation and should be typed.
The presentations must include an audio or video example that you can share in class. The room
includes access to the internet and a built-in CD player on the computer. Aim for the presentation
to be between 5-10 minutes. The journal is intended as a summary of your listening. Be
prepared in the presentation to answer questions assessing a greater depth of understanding.
For example, if a piece of music is built around an African mbira or a Japanese shakuhachi you
may be asked to describe these instruments. If a song has lyrics please bring an English
translation to share with the class.
Some helpful resources include:
www.calgarypubliclibrary.com
www.smithsonianglobalsound.org
www.worldmusic.nationalgeographic.com
www.youtube.com
www.video.google.com
World Music - Listening Journal
Introduction (1 mark)
Student’s Name:
Title:
Country:
Album:
Artist:
Region/State:
Musical Genre:
Kind of music: (vocal, instrumental, dance, etc.)
Internet address: (if applicable)
Why was this piece chosen? (4 marks)
What instruments or vocal styles are used? (4 marks)
Describe the music in technical terms. Be sure to demonstrate you understand the technical
terms being used. (4 marks)
Is this similar to or different from other music of the region? How so? (4 marks)
What is the most intriguing? What is the most difficult to follow? (4 marks)
What would you like to understand better? (4 marks)
Grades: 1 = poor 2 = below average 3 = average 4 = excellent