MU 100 - Exploring World Music

Credit Hours: 3

This course deals with the field of ethnomusicology – the study of music as culture. It introduces students to a study of music from an international and crosscultural perspective, exploring commonalities and differences in how music is defined, valued and utilized in many cultures around the world. The musical elements of harmony, rhythm, melody, texture, timbre and form are examined in relation to the culture and country from which they evolved. The cultures and music of Western Europe, the United States, Ireland, India, South America, Africa and Japan are explored and compared.

Fulfills SUNY General Education – Humanities.

Course Outcomes
At the completion of the course, students should be able to:

define in writing the field of ethnomusicology;
define in writing the six major concepts in music and related musical terms;
discuss orally and in writing the similarities and differences in the evolution and usage of these six musical concepts in creating and performing music in various countries and cultures around the world;
discuss how music is both a reflection of, and an influence on societies;
discuss in writing how music learning is approached differently in various countries and cultures;
discuss in writing the different roles of composers and performers in various countries and cultures;
discuss how technology has affected music performance, composition, learning, and listening;
research two seemingly diverse cultures and write a paper comparing the evolution, purpose, and style of music in these two cultures;
give a brief report of their research findings to the class; and
listen to musical examples and identify the culture and country that the music represents.

F/S (C, N, S)