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MU1006   An Introduction to Ethnomusicology: why, and how, human beings are musical

Academic year(s): 2024-2025

Key information

SCOTCAT credits : 20

ECTS credits : 10

Level : SCQF level 7

Semester: 2

Availability restrictions: Maximum 60 students

Planned timetable: 10.00 am - Lectures Mon, Tue and Thu.

Ethnomusicology is the study of why, and how, human beings are musical (Timothy Rice). It is interdisciplinary, and draws upon e.g. musicology, anthropology, cultural studies, and performance studies. This course aims to provide students with a broad overview of the emergence of the academic field; insights into its methods of enquiry using both emic (insider) and etic (outsider) approaches to recording and writing about musical activity; exposure to some important critical texts and questions; and some illustrative case studies from a variety of different cultural contexts.

Learning and teaching methods and delivery

Weekly contact: 3 lectures (x11 weeks), 1 tutorial (x10 weeks)

Scheduled learning hours: 44

Guided independent study hours: 156

Assessment pattern

As used by St Andrews: Coursework = 100%


Re-assessment: Coursework = 100%

Personnel

Module coordinator: Dr J K Pettegree
Module teaching staff: Team Taught
Module coordinator email jkp1@st-andrews.ac.uk

Intended learning outcomes

  • To understand in outline how ethnomusicology has emerged as a field of study, by engaging critically with selected critical texts that discuss the questions asked and methods used in the discipline
  • To understand how music might both express and shape individual and group identities, using a variety of case studies drawn from different geographical and social contexts;
  • To be aware of ethical issues raised by the capture and circulation of different musics, and to have thought about how the personal experiences and judgements of the researcher can affect the representation and interpretation of field data
  • To develop skills in writing persuasive and well-structured essays, using appropriately referenced primary sources (including ethnographic writing and basic sound recordings), and well-chosen secondary sources
  • To develop independent learning and study habits through active participation in group discussion, and through the timely design and execution of assessment