Durham University
Programme and Module Handbook

Postgraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2007-2008 (archived)

Module MUSI51530: The Discipline of Ethnomusicology

Department: Music

MUSI51530: The Discipline of Ethnomusicology

Type Open Level 4 Credits 30 Availability Available in 2007/08 Module Cap

Prerequisites

  • None

Corequisites

  • None

Excluded Combination of Modules

Aims

  • This course introduces students to ethnomusicology and explores its history, theory and methodology through a close reading of major writings in the field, transcription assignments and field research. The aim is to be familiar with important trends that characterise the discipline and assess the significance of ethnomusicological approaches in the understanding of musical cultures. Students will develop an understanding of ethnomusicology as a process towards the study of music as a social phenomenon. Transcription and fieldwork projects will expand their aural and notation skills, and more importantly, the ability to critically assess the ethics involved in the study of musical cultures.

Content

  • Topics may vary, but the following provides a framework: definition of ethnomusicology; music as an acoustic and social phenomenon; music and issues of human behaviour, social strucutre, cultural production, identity, power, ritual, mass media; concepts of 'universalism' and 'culture'; transcription and notation; fieldwork methods and ethics; music and cultural representation.

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:
  • An understanding of ethnomusicology as a process towards the study of music as a social phenomenon.
Subject-specific Skills:
  • Aural and notation skills through transrciption and fieldwork projects.
  • The ability to critically asess the ethics invovled in the study of musical cultures.
Key Skills:

    Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

    Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

    Activity Number Frequency Duration Total/Hours
    Seminars 19 Weekly 2 hours 38
    Tutorials
    Preparation and Reading 262
    Total 300

    Summative Assessment

    Component: Exam Component Weighting: 50%
    Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
    Exam 2 hours 100%
    Component: Project Component Weighting: 50%
    Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
    Project 3000 words 100%

    Formative Assessment:

    Essays, literature reviews, transcription exercises and field reports.


    Attendance at all activities marked with this symbol will be monitored. Students who fail to attend these activities, or to complete the summative or formative assessment specified above, will be subject to the procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University