Music Cultures: Far East, Asia

Catalog description

This course will provide an introduction to the study of world music (ethnomusicology) through an examination of both traditional and popular music styles from different Asian cultures, with an emphasis on the specific social and cultural backgrounds that have generated and sustained them. Topics will include the study of ethnomusicology, the influences between traditional and popular music, the social status and training of musicians and performers cross-culturally, the world music business, the influence of Asian music in world music, and world music on Asian music. Assessment will be based upon three exams. Note: Exams will involve identification of music examples from different Asian music cultures taken from listening to CD’s played in class.