Music Cults:Africa,Carib,Amer

Catalog description

An introduction to the study of world music (ethnomusicology) through an examination of both traditional and popular music styles from different music cultures within Africa, the Caribbean, and the Americas, with 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, and ongoing processes of musical exchange between musicians from diverse cultural backgrounds. Assessment will be based on three multiple choice exams. Note: Exams will involve identification of music examples from different music cultures in Africa and the Caribbean, selected from examples played and studied in class. Every fall.