Difference between revisions of "Introduction to Ethnomusicology: Music of Iran and Central Asia (Winter 2008)"

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- To become acquainted with the diversity of cultural practices, collective histories and identity perceptions in the context of the areas in question.
 
- To become acquainted with the diversity of cultural practices, collective histories and identity perceptions in the context of the areas in question.
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==Course requirements==
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 +
- '''Class attendance and participation'''. No training in music or ethnomusicology are prerequisites for taking and doing well in this course. Class attendance and doing required assignments, however, are necessary.
 +
 +
- '''Reports & reviews''', including:
 +
 +
''2 reading reports'' (due Weeks 4 & 9). Each report should address one assigned class reading of your choice. They should be concise (not exceeding 500 words) and include a short description as well as a critical evaluation of your reading. Personal points of view are welcome, provided that you support your argument/s by referring to other relevant readings or materials, theory or class discussions.
 +
 +
''1 CD review'' (due Week 11, Wednesday March 19). A review of one relevant CD of your choice. You should comment on the content of recordings and booklet, on the selection of pieces made by the compiler/producer/record company/artist, and on the relevance of your chosen item to the scholarly study and public perception of Inner and Central Asian musics. Your review should not exceed 750 words. It should be polished and well-written, contain a description of the CD and raise some critical observations.
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 +
''1 film review'' (due Week 14, Monday April 7).  You will choose one film among those shown in class, watch it again on your own, and produce a review of it. You should briefly describe its content and comment on its making, on the type of representation conveyed by its author, and on its significance to the scholarly study and public perception of Inner and Central Asian musics. Your review should not exceed 750 words. It should be well-written and raise some critical points.
 +
 +
'''Mid-term questionnaire''' (Week 8, Monday February 25) . The questionnaire will contain from 10 to 15 questions asking you to provide basic notions and information relevant to the course content. Some questions will be multiple choice, while others will require you to fill in empty spaces or provide a brief definition. You will need to answer all of them in class in 50 minutes time. Weekly assigned readings and lectures will provide sufficient preparation for this assignment.
 +
 +
'''Final exam'''. A final exam paper containing a number of questions related to most of the course weekly topics and asking you to provide answers in essay-like form. You will need to answer in writing to three questions of your choice in 2 hrs time. Further readings (see under Class Schedule & Readings) are strongly recommended in preparing for this assignment. 
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NB: You should be familiar with the Code of Student Behavior as published in Section 26 of the 2007-2008 Calendar and available online at http://www.uofaweb.ualberta.ca/secretariat/.
 +
 +
“Policy about course outlines can be found in section 23.4(2) of the University Calendar”. (GFC 29 SEP 2003)
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“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 the provisions of the Code of Student Behaviour (online at www.ualberta.ca/secretariat/appeals.htm) 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)

Revision as of 00:18, 7 January 2008

Music 365. Introduction to Ethnomusicology: Music of Iran and Central Asia.

Classes: Monday, Wednesday & Friday 11:00-11:50, FAB 1-23

Instructor: Prof. Federico Spinetti

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

Teaching assistant: Melaena Grierson; melaena@ualberta.ca

Course description

This course provides an introduction to the field of ethnomusicology. It addresses prominent methodological and theoretical concerns of the discipline at large by focusing, in particular, on music scholarship and resources related to the study of selected areas of Inner and Central Asia, such as Iran, Azerbaijan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Afghanistan and Chinese Turkestan. Issues addressed include music repertoires and structures; musical practices and concepts in the homeland and in the context of transnational migrations and diaspora; the relation of musical practices, concepts and meanings to historical, social, ideological and political contexts; the relationship between music and both oral and literary traditions; tradition, modernization, westernization and globalization; popular music, new technologies and the media. The course makes extensive use of audio-visual materials in addition to lectures and readings. No formal knowledge of music theory, analysis, history, notation or ethnomusicology is a prerequisite for taking this course.

This course is for undergraduate students only.

Aims and objectives

- To provide an introduction to the field of ethnomusicology and familiarize with the variety of its methodological and theoretical approaches.

- To develop familiarity with the research resources available to students and scholars in ethnomusicology, including scholarly literature, audio-visual documents and multimedia resources.

- To explore the possibilities offered by a number of methods and tools/media to both the process and the outcomes of research: fieldwork, analysis of texts and audio-visual documents, ethnographic writing, ethnographic film-making, field and studio recordings, etc.

- To become acquainted with a number of musical genres of Inner and Central Asia, including art, folk and popular musics.

- To study musical idioms and aesthetic perceptions in relation to their socio-historical contexts, and to develop a critical understanding of the role of music in identity construction and political-ideological processes in Inner and Central Asia as well as among diaspora communities.

- To explore the interrelation of music and poetry in Inner and Central Asia, and to appreciate its spiritual, ethical and social implications.

- To become acquainted with the diversity of cultural practices, collective histories and identity perceptions in the context of the areas in question.

Course requirements

- Class attendance and participation. No training in music or ethnomusicology are prerequisites for taking and doing well in this course. Class attendance and doing required assignments, however, are necessary.

- Reports & reviews, including:

2 reading reports (due Weeks 4 & 9). Each report should address one assigned class reading of your choice. They should be concise (not exceeding 500 words) and include a short description as well as a critical evaluation of your reading. Personal points of view are welcome, provided that you support your argument/s by referring to other relevant readings or materials, theory or class discussions.

1 CD review (due Week 11, Wednesday March 19). A review of one relevant CD of your choice. You should comment on the content of recordings and booklet, on the selection of pieces made by the compiler/producer/record company/artist, and on the relevance of your chosen item to the scholarly study and public perception of Inner and Central Asian musics. Your review should not exceed 750 words. It should be polished and well-written, contain a description of the CD and raise some critical observations.

1 film review (due Week 14, Monday April 7). You will choose one film among those shown in class, watch it again on your own, and produce a review of it. You should briefly describe its content and comment on its making, on the type of representation conveyed by its author, and on its significance to the scholarly study and public perception of Inner and Central Asian musics. Your review should not exceed 750 words. It should be well-written and raise some critical points.

Mid-term questionnaire (Week 8, Monday February 25) . The questionnaire will contain from 10 to 15 questions asking you to provide basic notions and information relevant to the course content. Some questions will be multiple choice, while others will require you to fill in empty spaces or provide a brief definition. You will need to answer all of them in class in 50 minutes time. Weekly assigned readings and lectures will provide sufficient preparation for this assignment.

Final exam. A final exam paper containing a number of questions related to most of the course weekly topics and asking you to provide answers in essay-like form. You will need to answer in writing to three questions of your choice in 2 hrs time. Further readings (see under Class Schedule & Readings) are strongly recommended in preparing for this assignment.


NB: You should be familiar with the Code of Student Behavior as published in Section 26 of the 2007-2008 Calendar and available online at http://www.uofaweb.ualberta.ca/secretariat/.

“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 the provisions of the Code of Student Behaviour (online at www.ualberta.ca/secretariat/appeals.htm) 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)