Music

This course introduces the field of ethnomusicology. In order to do this, it explores major concepts that have shaped the core of ethnomusicological studies. The course examines issues such as music and identity (ethnic, gender, racial), music and politics, music and ritual, musical roots, change and preservation, globalization, field research, transcription and musical instrument classification. In the course, students think, talk, and write about how and why people make music, as well as how and how ethnomusicologists go about their work. Students undertake a group fieldwork projects that contribute to a class-wide fieldwork project.

This class introduces the history and literatures of Western music from medieval times to the late 20th century. Students study, discuss, and write about the people and the factors (artistic, intellectual, social, technical) that were and are Western music’s agents of change. On completion of this class, students are able to: Identify key musical works, genres, and styles drawn from Western music history; Discuss key contexts and socio-cultural factors that are relevant to developments in Western music, including pop music and classical music; Become familiar with key terms and concepts used in writing about music; Learn about basic reference and writing tools, including online tools, of relevance to the study of music; Write clearly and with critical insight on a variety of topics relating to Western music.

The course develops a broad range of innovative, practical, creative, and collaborative musical skills. It promotes student initiative and creativity, while developing focused, critical, technical, and context sensitive perspectives on selected musical repertoires/traditions/genres. It seeks to explore, reflect upon, extend and/or challenge specific musical performance conventions. 

This course offers an initial exploration of music psychology research. Selected researchers within the field, including music therapists, behavioral neuroscientists, neuropsychologists, and experimental psychologists outline recent and current practical research involving music across the lifespan. Information is provided on the relationship between music and the brain, as well as music and the body. The development of musical skills at different life stages is outlined from birth to old age.

This course provides a hands-on project-based introduction to electronic audio circuits for artistic purposes. Through hardware hacking, circuit bending, and circuit building, students gain an understanding of basic electronics theory as well as develop valuable hands-on experience with battery-powered sound-making and sound-processing projects. From repurposing games, toys, and radios to building oscillators, filters, mixers, and amplifiers, and finally interfacing between the physical world and computers via microcontrollers, students explore the artistic potential of electronic circuits. An introduction to the history and current practice of electronic sound art will be integral to the module. The module will culminate in a group installation/performance. No prior experience in electronics or music is assumed, though either would be helpful.