Durham University
Programme and Module Handbook

Undergraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2011-2012 (archived)

Module MUSI3571: ADVANCED ETHNOMUSICOLOGY

Department: Music

MUSI3571: ADVANCED ETHNOMUSICOLOGY

Type Open Level 3 Credits 20 Availability Available in 2011/12 Module Cap None. Location Durham

Prerequisites

  • Introduction to Ethnomusicology (MUSI2011)

Corequisites

  • None.

Excluded Combination of Modules

  • None.

Aims

  • To study texts by influential ethnomusicologists of the present and past, to isolate and explore issues and themes which have been of particular concern within the discipline, and to encourage critical evaluation of theories and methods.

Content

  • This module addresses a wide variety of issues and themes on a week-by-week basis, including: definitions of the discipline, comparative musicology and early research, non-Western theories of music, notation and transcription of non-Western music, musical instruments, music and identity, historical ethnomusicology, musical change and preservation, music and ritual, improvisation, music in the Diaspora, music and globalisation, and music and gender.

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:
  • Building on the Introduction to Ethnomusicology module, this course encourages a deeper knowledge of ethnomusicological theories and methods.
Subject-specific Skills:
  • Ability to apply a wide variety of interdisciplinary theoretical approaches to music making, skills at identifying how people from other cultures interpret musical performance, and skills at formulating and articulating well-reasoned personal viewpoints with confidence.
Key Skills:
  • To develop informed critical perspectives.

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

  • The module consists of 19 lectures, 3 seminars and 3 tutorials. The teaching takes place through weekly lectures with accompanying directed reading. The lectures are designed to focus attention on key issues and the appropriate strategies for evaluation and further discussion. The reading takes the form of seminar texts to be discussed in tutorials, culminating in papers given in larger seminars. This mode of study provides the student with the opportunity for self-directed learning. This format is also designed to ensure the active participation of students in the learning process, offering opportunities for discussion and the development of critical thinking. The assessment is designed to draw together these key elements of advanced study and provide an appropriate forum for testing the students achievements in acquiring and applying subject-specific knowledge.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Activity Number Frequency Duration Total/Hours
Lectures 19 Weekly 1 hour 19
Tutorials 3 Termly 1 hour 3
Preparation and Reading 178
Total 200

Summative Assessment

Component: Essay 1 Component Weighting: 50%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
Essay 3,000 words 100%
Component: Essay 2 Component Weighting: 50%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
Essay 3,000 100%

Formative Assessment:

Four short essays of 1,000-1,500 words, each serving as preparation for summative assignments.


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