Prospectus

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World music: introduction

Course
2010-2011

Description:

As a result of globalisation, migration and the Internet, what is today known as world music has become part of our musical landscape. This is borne out by the hundreds of concerts and festivals that take place every year, and by the impressive sales of CDs and DVDs. In this module, world music will be studied from a practical viewpoint, since music is first of all a practical activity: a question of listening and doing, of repeating and creating.
Under the supervision of a number of specialists, students will become familiar with music from Indonesia, India, Central Asia, Spain and the Arab world. Students will take part in workshops: Balinese gamelan, raga singing and overtone singing. As well as basic concepts such as rhythm and melody, other subjects to be addressed include modality, composition and improvisation, oral and written traditions, and forms of transmission.

The aim of this course is to make participants aware that in spite of the great diversity of instruments, types of ensembles, genres and styles worldwide, there are also similarities, particularly in the way music is made and reflected on.

Teaching method:

Combined lectures and seminars.

Admission requirements:

Participants must have an elementary knowledge of music. The ability to read music is not obligatory.

Course load:

5 ects.

Required reading:

Compulsary:

  • Reader Music in a worldwide perspective, including audio CD. – Articles – Handouts

Recommended:

  • Nicholas Cook, Music: a very short introduction. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1998, reprint 2000. – Peter Flecher, World musics in context: a comprehensive survey of the world’s major musical cultures. New York: Oxford University Press, 2004.

Reference books:

  • Simon Broughton & Mark Ellingham (eds.), The rough guide to world music. London and New York: Rough Guides, 2000. 2 vols

Test method:

Assessment will be made on the basis of:

  1. Audio CD thinking about listening to
    1. Examination on literature and information given in the lectures. Final exam on November 30.
    2. Attendance (80%) will be checked by means of an attendance list.

Time table:

First term. The lectures take place on Wednesday from 15.00-17.00 hrs. room 006, Van Wijkplaats 2. Dates of lectures:
8 september 2010,
15 september 2010,
22 september 2010,
29 september 2010,
6 october 2010,
13 october 2010,
20 october 2010

Information:

Birgit Abels, e-mail: babels@uva.nl

Registration:

Tim Soekkha

Remarks:

If only Dutch students enroll for this course, the lectures will be given in Dutch