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

Academic year

2024 to 2025 Semester 2

Further information on which modules are specific to your programme.

Key module information

SCOTCAT credits

20

The Scottish Credit Accumulation and Transfer (SCOTCAT) system allows credits gained in Scotland to be transferred between institutions. The number of credits associated with a module gives an indication of the amount of learning effort required by the learner. European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) credits are half the value of SCOTCAT credits.

SCQF level

SCQF level 7

The Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) provides an indication of the complexity of award qualifications and associated learning and operates on an ascending numeric scale from Levels 1-12 with SCQF Level 10 equating to a Scottish undergraduate Honours degree.

Availability restrictions

Maximum 60 students

Planned timetable

10.00 am - Lectures Mon, Tue and Thu.

This information is given as indicative. Timetable may change at short notice depending on room availability.

Module coordinator

Dr J K Pettegree

This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module Staff

Team Taught

This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module description

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.

Assessment pattern

Coursework = 100%

Re-assessment

Coursework = 100%

Learning and teaching methods and delivery

Weekly contact

3 lectures (x11 weeks), 1 tutorial (x10 weeks)

Scheduled learning hours

44

The number of compulsory student:staff contact hours over the period of the module.

Guided independent study hours

156

The number of hours that students are expected to invest in independent study over the period of the module.

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