Study African Arts and Culture in Ghana

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The 9 credit summer program, entitled "West African Music, Dance, Society, and Culture", comprises social science, humanities, and performing arts components, and is formally equivalent to three semester-long University of Alberta courses:

  • West African Music Ensemble (Music x44). A practicum developing basic skills required for performance and understanding of traditional Ghanaian music, song, and dance, including music of the Ga, Asanti, and other groups, but with a special focus upon Ewe music traditions of the Volta Region. Includes study on the University of Ghana campus, and in a traditional Ewe village.
  • Introduction to Ethnomusicology: The ethnomusicology of Ghanaian music and dance (Music 365) Scholarly study of traditional and popular performance of Ghana, treating the form and meaning of traditional music and dance in cultural contexts, linking music and social identity, and reading Ghanaian culture, politics, history, and religion through music. The music, culture, society, and history of the Ewes will be included, so as to harmonize with the other two courses. The course culminates with the practical experience of doing ethnomusicology in Dagbamete.
  • West African culture, language, and society (Middle Eastern and African Studies 300). This course comprises a multidisciplinary investigation of West African culture (possibly including study of literature, linguistics, anthropology, sociology, history, political science, religious studies, or other disciplines), plus a practical introduction to the Ewe language, in conversation and through its oral literary tradition.

While details for 2009 have not yet been established, the program is projected to run during July for about four weeks, including roughly one week of lectures, one week of travel, and two weeks' residence in a small Ewe-speaking Ghanaian village (Dagbamete), in Ghana's Volta Region, for field study and musical/linguistic/cultural immersion. Music and dance performance is central, but no musical experience or talent is required to succeed. There are no prerequisites for any of the three courses. In past years, Optional long-weekend field trips provided additional musical-cultural perspectives; this year we'll try to roll these trips into a single contiguous week of travel.


For a multimedia introduction to this program, please view this descriptive powerpoint presentation (Note: some of the figures pertain to last year's program)

Browse previous programs here:

Experiencing Ghana, summer 2007

Experiencing Ghana, summer 2008

Those considering attending in 2009 might like to examine the detailed 2008 program. Click here for course hours in 2008.


Application procedures for Summer 2009

Please contact Caroline Lawson in the Education Abroad office, HUB (contacts below). Non-University of Alberta students are responsible for ensuring that credit transfers to their home institution and program, and must enroll in University of Alberta open studies prior to enrollment in the program.

Fifteen $1500 scholarship awards may be available to early applicants from Canada; stay tuned. (must apply by March 1st)

Substantial scholarships may also available to international applicants from outside Canada through Summer School@UA; please contact Caroline Lawson for details.



2008 Costs:

for Canadians:

  • Application fee $150
  • UofA tuition (*9 credits): $1586.60
  • Program fee (village stay): $618
  • Campus accommodations: $390 (approximate)
  • Food: $280 (approximate)
  • Total cost: $3024.60

$1500 scholarships are available for the first 15 applicants (priority to UofA students).
Total program cost (including scholarship) is $1524.60.

for International students (including USA):

  • Application fee $100
  • UofA tuition (*9 credits): $5015.89
  • Program fee (village stay): $618
  • Campus accommodations: $390 (approximate)
  • Food: $280 (approximate)
  • Total cost: $6,403.89

$2250 scholarships are available for International students.
Total program cost (including scholarship) is $4,153.89.

Note: The above costs do not include travel costs, visa fees, vaccinations, medical coverage, books and supplies, extra food costs, entertainment or incidental expenses. Travel costs will vary significantly depending on your location, and date of travel. Fees are subject to change.


Deadlines for summer 2009 program:

TBA


Need more information?


Regarding application procedures please contact Caroline Lawson, Study Abroad Student Advisor, University of Alberta International, Education Abroad Program, 8920 HUB Mall, Edmonton, AB, Canada, T6G 2E1 Tel: 780 492 6215 Fax: 780 492 6213 www.international.ualberta.ca

You may also contact Professor Michael Frishkopf for further information about the program itself.


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