Music

In this course, students develop a deeper understanding of the diverse ways in which European imperialism and colonialism changed musical culture in South and Southeast Asia through a detailed, comparative examination of changing contexts for music making in the Indian Ocean region c. 1750–1950. Students focus mainly on British imperialism and colonialism in the Indian subcontinent and the Malayworld; and transition and interplay between cultures, over time, and geographically across the Indian Ocean. Topics may include but are not restricted to different approaches to music and empire; postcolonial and paracolonial; Orientalism and race; circulation; musical knowledge; sound and affect; religion; gender and sexuality; sovereignty and decolonization. 

This class reviews various styles of vocal works. Singing is a core component of the course. 

This course offers a study of the fundamentals of the physics of sound, basics of the processes and tools of music production, use of a Digital Audio Workstation (D.A.W.), and the current software environment in which musical projects are carried out.

This course contextualizes London as a vibrant world center of popular music innovation. The inter-cultural dialogue between Britain and America is explored to examine the history of popular musical forms. To understand the impact of genres such as Blues, Jazz and Rock ‘n’ Roll, concepts such as the Black Atlantic will emphasize music as a medium of cultural exchange, and the importance of investigating the wider political and social dimensions in which music is made. Post-World War II revolutions in popular music made London and the UK a creative hub in global music culture because of the settlement of diasporic peoples. The course will therefore explain the cultural frameworks for the emergence of Pop, Punk, Ska, Reggae and Hip Hop. An examination of contemporary London’s dynamic musical effervescence is also investigated. This is an interdisciplinary course examining the historical, sociological, aesthetic, technological, and commercial elements of contemporary (mainly North American and British) popular music. Therefore, the course deals specifically with the origins and development of USA and UK popular music, particularly in the post-1945 era, and focuses upon topics including the relationship between style, subculture, and music, in addition to the impact of new technologies on music production and marketing. Audio–visual resources and a field trip are combined with lectures and in-class discussions.

This course leads students to understand the theater sound system and practical application methods, including: Acoustic concepts; basic sound system understanding and application; theater sound design concept, and understanding and application of digital arrangement software. The contents of this course are mainly for students from the Department of Art and Design. In order to ensure the quality of the class, the number of additional applicants is limited. International students are encouraged to conduct an interview in the first week of the course.