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MU2527: INTRODUCTION TO ETHNOMUSICOLOGY (2016-2017)

Last modified: 28 Jun 2018 10:27


Course Overview

The course provides students with fundamental tools with which to conduct ethnomusicological fieldwork and analysis. These include a historical grounding in the subject, an introduction to field research, fieldwork methods including audio and video recording, fieldnotes, transcription and analysis, ethical considerations, and case studies of ethnomusicologists. Much of the course consists of seminars and workshops, which allow students to understand and engage with ethnomusicological concepts and theory before putting these into practice in peer-group contexts and then fieldwork. The course includes a strong practical element and fieldwork visits are made to musical events in the local community.

Course Details

Study Type Undergraduate Level 2
Session Second Sub Session Credit Points 15 credits (7.5 ECTS credits)
Campus None. Sustained Study No
Co-ordinators
  • Ms Carley Williams

Qualification Prerequisites

None.

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

  • Any Undergraduate Programme (Studied)
  • Either Programme Level 1 or Programme Level 2

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

The bulk of the course will consist of seminars and workshops. These will allow the students to understand and engage with ethnomusicological concepts and theory before putting these into practice in peer-group contexts (workshops) and then fieldwork situations on the ground. The course will include a strong practical element and fieldwork visits will be made to musical events in the local community.

Seminars will be based on topics such as: ethnomusicology theory, history of audio and video recording, field research methods, emic and etic approaches in ethnomusicology, transcription and analysis, annotation of field research, and fieldwork ethics. They will include case studies of ethnomusicologists working in the field.

Workshops will bring some of these areas into practice and will allow students to try out fieldwork techniques within their peer-group, undergoing peer-assessment activities and evaluating their own field practice.

The fieldwork visits will allow students to undertake practical ethnomusicology research in a local setting where music is being practiced and performed under the guidance of an expert. The duration of 8 hours is meant to be seen as a minimum requisite and students will be encouraged to undertake independent field research in addition to that which is required for the course.


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 31 August 2023 for 1st half-session courses and 22 December 2023 for 2nd half-session courses.

Summative Assessments

1st Attempt: 1 Multimedia Field Report (2,000 words plus audiovisual material) (100%).

Resit: Students resit any failed component(s). Please note that the Field Report can be retaken only once.

Formative Assessment

Workshop exercises (up to 4) Field note exercises (up to 4)

Feedback

Oral formative feedback will be provided throughout the course. Generic feedback on formative assessment will be given in class.

Course Learning Outcomes

None.

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