Music and Islam (Fall 2015)

MUSIC AND ISLAM (Music 469/569)

NB: This website is under construction...stay tuned!

Short URL for this website: http://bit.ly/muis15

See eClass site for submitting assignments

Instructor

Professor Michael Frishkopf
Meetings: Fall 2015, Tuesdays and Thursdays, 12:30 - 1:50 pm, Old Arts 403
Office: 334D Old Arts Building
Office hours: Wednesday 1:30-3:30 pm, by appointment
Tel: 780-492-0225, email: michaelf@ualberta.ca

Course description and objectives

This course addresses the sonic practices of Islamic rituals, Muslim discourses about music, and the relation of both to the rich diversity of religious and musical practices in Muslims societies around the globe. Course content includes lecture, seminar, and multimedia formats. No formal knowledge of music history, theory, ethnomusicology, or Islam is required. Undergraduates should enroll in Music 469; graduate students should enroll in Music 569.

Course objectives

• To become familiar – experientially and intellectually – with genres of Islamic sonic performance, their musical-textual structures, meanings, social-historical contexts, and spiritual-cultural implications.
• To develop a felt understanding of Islam as a social-spiritual system of belief and practice, through experience and study of its sonic dimension, in social, cultural, and historical context.
• To thereby learn about Muslim cultures and societies throughout history, and especially in the present day.
• To understand some of the ways in which religious ideologies and sonic practices interact (directly or indirectly), especially in the form of discourse about music.

Course requirements

• Regular class attendance.
• Completing weekly reading and listening assignments on time, such that you are able to participate in class discussions effectively.
• Submitting weekly reading reports synthesizing and critiquing weekly readings (approximately one paragraph per work). Please submit all reports by email with the subject line “Reading Report”. These writing assignments need not be highly polished or lengthy – indeed they must not exceed one page. They should make explicit reference to assigned readings, and demonstrate some synthetic and critical acumen. These reports will help you to prepare your final paper.
• Submitting or presenting additional assigned exercises in class (these may involve singing, or transcribing).
• Submitting a short research proposal (1-2 pages) on a relevant topic of your choice, by Week 6.
• Oral presentation (30 minutes) on your topic during weeks 12, 13, and 14, accompanied by rough draft of final paper.
• For Music 569: Final research paper, at least 25 pages (double spaced, 12 pt, 1” margins) elaborating your presentation topic, based on class readings plus at least 15 additional scholarly sources relevant to your topic. Due December 17th.
• For Music 469: Final research paper, at least 15 pages (double spaced, 12 pt, 1” margins) elaborating your presentation topic, based on class readings plus at least 9 additional scholarly sources relevant to your topic. Due December 17th .
• No midterm or final.

Evaluation

Assignments and weights

NB:

• There will be no exams.
  
• Unexcused late assignments will be downgraded one quarter point per day.
  
• When page counts are given they refer to 1" margins, single-spaced, Times New Roman font, or equivalent. "References cited" or "bibliography" does not count towards the page total.
  
• Be sure to cite all references using the (author year:pages) format, and list all references cited at the end of your paper.
  

Grading scale

Evaluations of each assignment are on a scale from 0-4.3 points. These scores are combined according to the percentages indicated below in order to produce a final numeric grade. This grade is rounded to the nearest numeric value in the table below, in order to determine the final letter grade.

• A+: 4.3
  
• 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
  

Resources

Websites

• Topics in Music and Islam

Books

These books should be available in the bookstore, and on Library reserve. Required books are in bold and will be used more heavily, though you can rely on the reserve copy if you wish. Some may be useful as you develop your own research.

• Aidi, Hisham. 2014. Rebel Music: Race, Empire, and the New Muslim Youth Culture.
• Ernst, Carl W. 2011. Sufism: An Introduction to the Mystical Tradition of Islam. Boston, Mass.; London: Shambhala.
• Friedlander, Shems, Nezih Uzel, and Shems Friedlander. 2003. Rumi and the Whirling Dervishes: Being an Account of the Sufi Order Known as the Mevlevis and Its Founder the Poet and Mystic Mevlana Jalaluʼddin Rumi. New York: Parabola Books.
• Harnish, David, and Anne Rasmussen. 2011. Divine Inspirations: Music and Islam in Indonesia. Oxford University Press, USA.
• Inayat Khan. 1996. The Mysticism of Sound and Music. Boston; [New York]: Shambhala ; Distributed in the United States by Random House.
• Kapchan, Deborah. 2007. Traveling Spirit Masters: Moroccan Gnawa Trance and Music in the Global Marketplace. Middletown: Wesleyan.
• LeVine, Mark. 2008. Heavy Metal Islam: Rock, Resistance, and the Struggle for the Soul of Islam. New York: Three Rivers Press.
• Miyakawa, Felicia M. 2005. Five Percenter Rap : God Hop’s Music, Message, and Black Muslim Mission. Bloomington: Indiana University Press.
• Nelson, Kristina. 1985. The Art of Reciting the Qur’an. Vol. 1st. Austin: University of Texas Press.
• Qureshi, Regula. 1995. Sufi Music of India and Pakistan : Sound, Context, and Meaning in Qawwali. Vol. University of Chicago Press. Chicago: University of Chicago Press.
• Rahman, Fazlur. 1979. Islam. Chicago : University of Chicago Press.
• Rasmussen, Anne K. 2010. Women, the Recited Qur’an, and Islamic Music in Indonesia. Berkeley: University of California Press.
• Schimmel, Annemarie. 1975. Mystical Dimensions of Islam. Chapel Hill : University of North Carolina Press.
• Schimmel, Annemarie. 1992. Islam : An Introduction. Albany: State University of New York Press.
• Sells, Michael Anthony. 1999. Approaching the Qurʼan: The Early Revelations. Ashland, Or: White Cloud Press.
• Shiloah, Amnon. 1995. Music in the World of Islam : A Socio-Cultural Study. Detroit : Wayne State University Press.
• Surty, Muhammad Ibrahim H.I. 1988. A Course in the Science of Reciting the Qur’an. London: The Islamic Foundation.
• van Nieuwkerk, Karin. 2011. Muslim Rap, Halal Soaps, and Revolutionary Theater: Artistic Developments in the Muslim World. Austin, Tex.: University of Texas Press. http://site.ebrary.com/id/10519732.
• Waugh, Earle H. 1989. The Munshidin of Egypt : Their World and Their Song. Vol. 1st ed. Studies in Comparative Religion. Columbia, S.C.: University of South Carolina Press.

Official statements

Course prerequisites: none
Course-based ethics approval, Community service learning: NA
Past or representative evaluative course material: see instructor
Additional mandatory instruction fees: No

Policy about course outlines can be found in Section 23.4(2) of the University Calendar. (GFC 29 SEP 2003).

Academic Integrity
“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 with the provisions of the Code of Student Behaviour (online at http://www.governance.ualberta.ca/en/CodesofConductandResidenceCommunityStandards/CodeofStudentBehaviour.aspx ) and avoid any behaviour that 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.

Learning and working environment
The Faculty of Arts is committed to ensuring that all students, faculty and staff are able to work and study in an environment that is safe and free from discrimination and harassment. It does not tolerate behaviour that undermines that environment. The department urges anyone who feels that this policy is being violated to: • Discuss the matter with the person whose behaviour is causing concern; or • If that discussion is unsatisfactory, or there is concern that direct discussion is inappropriate or threatening, discuss it with the Chair of the Department. For additional advice or assistance regarding this policy you may contact the student ombudservice: (http://www.ombudservice.ualberta.ca/ ). Information about the University of Alberta Discrimination and Harassment Policy and Procedures is described in UAPPOL at https://policiesonline.ualberta.ca/PoliciesProcedures/Pages/DispPol.aspx?PID=110

Academic Honesty:
All students should consult the information provided by the Office of Judicial Affairs regarding avoiding cheating and plagiarism in particular and academic dishonesty in general (see the Academic Integrity Undergraduate Handbook and Information for Students). If in doubt about what is permitted in this class, ask the instructor. Students involved in language courses and translation courses should be aware that on-line “translation engines” produce very dubious and unreliable “translations.” Students in language courses should be aware that, while seeking the advice of native or expert speakers is often helpful, excessive editorial and creative help in assignments is considered a form of “cheating” that violates the code of student conduct with dire consequences. An instructor or coordinator who is convinced that a student has handed in work that he or she could not possibly reproduce without outside assistance is obliged, out of consideration of fairness to other students, to report the case to the Associate Dean of the Faculty. See the Academic Discipline Process.

Recording of Lectures:
Audio or video recording of lectures, labs, seminars or any other teaching environment by students is allowed only with the prior written consent of the instructor or as a part of an approved accommodation plan. Recorded material is to be used solely for personal study, and is not to be used or distributed for any other purpose without prior written consent from the instructor.

Attendance, Absences, and Missed Grade Components:
Regular attendance is essential for optimal performance in any course. In cases of potentially excusable absences due to illness or domestic affliction, notify your instructor by e-mail within two days. Regarding absences that may be excusable and procedures for addressing course components missed as a result, consult sections 23.3(1) and 23.5.6 of the University Calendar. Be aware that unexcused absences will result in partial or total loss of the grade for the “attendance and participation” component(s) of a course, as well as for any assignments that are not handed-in or completed as a result. In this course, 10% of your grade depends on regular attendance and energetic participation.

Policy for Late Assignments:
See Evaluation and Grading, above.

Specialized Support & Disability Services:
If you have special needs that could affect your performance in this class, please let me know during the first week of the term so that appropriate arrangements can be made. If you are not already registered with Specialized Support & Disability Services, contact their office immediately ( 2-800 SUB; Email ssdsrec@ualberta.ca; Email; phone 780-492-3381; WEB www.ssds.ualberta.ca ).

Media Archives and Departmental Broadcasting of Audio-visual Material
Audio or video recording of performances, lectures, seminars, or any other academic or research environment activities are carried out by the Department of Music for archival purposes. These archives may be collected and housed in the Music Library. Recorded material is to be used solely for non-profit, educational, research, and community outreach purposes, and is not to be used or distributed for any other purpose without obtaining the express permission from all parties involved.

Please be advised that your solo or group performance may be featured on the University of Alberta's Department of Music website and/or social media platform(s). If you object to this use of audio and/or video material in which you will be included, please advise your instructor or the Department of Music in writing prior to participating in any performance, lecture, seminar or public event held by the Department of Music.