Area Studies in Ethnomusicology: Africa (2019)

Instructor: M. Frishkopf

Time: TR - 3:30 PM - 4:50 PM

This seminar course centers on understanding music and other performance arts in Africa as a sustainable strategy for social cohesion, progress and transformation. We will study musical types across the continent, traditional and contemporary, local and interventionist, from the perspective of their efficacy for social progress. In particular, we will study Music for Global Human Development (m4ghd.org) -- applying music as a collaborative social technology towards social justice across a spectrum of issues, from health and education, to peace, civil society, and social integration. We will focus on application of these ideas and methods in Egypt, Liberia, Ghana, Ethiopia, Uganda, Rwanda, South Africa, and elsewhere, through critical review of current literature, local practices, and musical interventions both past and present. We will also design m4ghd projects for the future. NB: There are no prerequisites. The course is offered for both undergraduate and graduate credit.