Music and Islam (Winter 2009)

Classes: Tue Thu 2:00-3:20PM

Location: FAB 2-15

Instructor: Dr. Federico Spinetti

Office: 3-65 Fine Arts Building; office hours: Tuesday 10:00-12:00am, or by appointment. Tel. 492-7534; spinetti@ualberta.ca

Course description

This course explores musical and sonic practices in the Muslim world, with particular emphasis on history, discourses on the ethical and social position of music, religious and ritual musics and sonic performances. It also addresses secular music as well as transnational and mediated musical practices in various contemporary Muslim societies or communities. It will highlight both the commonalities and the considerable diversity of musical practices around the Muslim world, and provide in-depth exploration of a few distinct traditions. No formal knowledge of music history and theory, ethnomusicology or Islam is required in order to take this course.

Prerequisites

Undergraduates should enroll in 469; graduates should enroll in 569.

Aims and objectives

- To become acquainted with the musical history of the Muslim world, with particular reference to the Near and Middle East, North Africa and Central Asia.

- To explore a variety of musical genres and sonic practices in the Muslim world, including religious, mystical (Sufi) and secular practices.

- To gain an understanding of the social, political and cultural meanings of music in various Muslim societies around the world.

- To develop interest in and knowledge of Islam as a complex social, moral and religious universe, and to promote an attitude of cultural understanding and respect.

Course requirements

- Regular class attendance, completion of weekly readings and participation in class discussions. Attendance of as many events as possible of the Afghan Music Week (February 9-14, 2009) is also expected.

- Two class presentations of assigned readings. Due Weeks 3, 4, 9.

- A short written review (500 words) of an article chosen from the required readings for this course. Although short, your article review needs to be polished and show some critical acumen. Due Week 5.

- A written report (1,500-2,500 words) on the Afghan Music Week (February 9-14). Your report should present your reflections/critique with regard to at least 3 events of the AMW. Due Week 8.

- Mid-term assignment: EITHER a book review OR a film review OR an exercise in transcription and analysis of a piece of music of your choice. Length: 1,500-2,000 words. Due Week 10.

- Research proposal on the topic of your final paper. Your proposal should be short (1-2 pages) and include topic description as well as a provisional bibliography. Due Week 10.

- Oral presentation (20-30 min) on the subject of your final paper.

- Final paper, due April 18. For undergraduates (Music 469): 3,000-4,000 words; for graduates (Music 569): 4,000-5,000 words. Word limits do not include bibliography, but do include footnotes, captions, graphics with a textual component, etc. Undergraduate papers should include at least 15 bibliographic references; graduate papers should include at least 20.

You should be familiar with the Code of Student Behavior as published in Section 26 of the 2008-2009 Calendar and available online at http://www.uofaweb.ualberta.ca/governance/studentappeals.cfm.“Policy about course outlines can be found in section 23.4(2) of the University Calendar”. (GFC 29 SEP 2003) “The University of Alberta is committed to the highest standards of academic integrity and honesty. Students are expected to be familiar with these standards regarding academic honesty and to uphold the policies of the University in this respect. Students are particularly urged to familiarize themselves the provisions of the Code of Student Behaviour (online at http://www.uofaweb.ualberta.ca/governance/studentappeals.cfm.) and avoid any behaviour which could potentially result in suspicions of cheating, plagiarism, misrepresentation of facts and/or participation in an offence. Academic dishonesty is a serious offence and can result in suspension or expulsion from the University.” (GFC 29 SEP 2003)

Assessment

Each assignment will be marked according to the numeric scale of evaluation given below. Individual assignment marks will be combined to obtain a final numeric grade, which will be translated into the correspondent final letter grade.

A 4.0

A- 3.7

B+ 3.3

B 3.0

B- 2.7

C+ 2.3

C 2.0

C- 1.7

D+ 1.3

D 1.0

D- 0.7

F 0.0

The relative weight of each assignment on the overall grade is as follows:

- Class attendance, completion of weekly readings and participation in class discussions, attendance of Afghan Music Week: 20%

- Two class presentations (assigned readings): 10% (5%+5%)

- Short article review: 5%

- Afghan Music Week report: 10%

- Mid-term review or transcription/analysis exercise: 15%

- Class presentation (final project): 10%

- Final paper: 30%

Your final paper proposal will not be graded. However, it is essential that you work carefully on this proposal and submit it on time, so that you may receive useful feedback before preparing your class presentation and paper.

Resources

- There are no required textbooks for this course. All class readings will be on reserve at the Music Library. Some of the readings are available online as well through the UofA Library database. Relevant bibliographic or audio-visual materials that may not be available in University Libraries will be handed out in class, included in this course mediawiki or made accessible in my office.