ME519/619: Ethnomusicology II - Theory and Analysis (4 units)

Roberta R. King, Associate Professor of Communication and Ethnomusicology
Winter 2006 Pasadena

 

 

DESCRIPTION:

The purpose of this course is to study issues and theories of ethnomusicology with a view to integrating them with mission praxis. Topics include the study of music as culture, introduction to transcription and analysis, theoretical models, field methods, and approaches for doing ethnomusicology in cross-cultural contexts Specific applications are made to mission praxis.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: This course will enable students to

· Cite and knowledgably interact with seminal literature in the field of ethnomusicology.
· Identify and understand key ethno-musicological issues and theories, with particular reference to mission praxis.
· Develop skills for documenting musical repertoires. 
· Understand the multiple roles of ethnomusicologists in relation to mission.

COURSE FORMAT: This course will meet once a week in the evening. Class sessions will include presentations with accompanying discussions, video and audio examples, in-class exercises, guest lectures, and seminar sessions.

REQUIRED READING:  Select 1,500 pages from the following.

Barz, Gregory F. and Timothy J. Cooley, Shadows in the Field: New Perspectives for Fieldwork in Ethnomusicology. Oxford University Press, 1996.
Braun, Joachim,
Music in Ancient Israel/Palestine: Archaeological, Written, and Comparative Sources (The Bible in Its World). Eerdmans, 2002.
Clayton, Martin, Herbert and Middleton, Eds. The Cultural Study of Music: A Critical Introduction. Routledge, 2003.
King, Roberta Rose, Pathways in Christian Music Communication: The Case of the
Senufo of Côte d’Ivoire.
Pasadena, CA: Fuller Theological Seminary, 1989.
King, Roberta R. “Toward a Discipline of Christian Ethnomusicology: A Missiological Paradigm,” Missiology, Vol. XXXII, No. 3, July, 2004, pp. 293-301.
Miriam, Alan  The Anthropology of Music. Northwestern University Press, 1964.
Nettl, Bruno The Study of Ethnomusicology: Twenty-Nine Issues and Concepts. University of Illinois, 1983.  
Stone, Ruth M., Ed. “Ethnomusicologists at Work” in The World’s Music: General
Perspectives and Reference Tools, pp. 1-168, v. 10, The Garland Encyclopedia of World Music, Routledge, 2002.

RECOMMENDED READING:

Meyers, Helen.  Ethnomusicology: Historical and Regional Studies. Norton/Grove Handbooks in Music, 1993. 
Scott, Joyce           Tuning into a Different Song: Using a Music Bridge to Cross Cultural Differences. University of Pretoria, 2000. 
Shelemay, Kay Kaufman   Ethnomusicology: History, Definitions, and Scope. Garland Publishing, Inc. 1992.
Shellemay, Kay Kaufman  Soundscapes: Exploring Music in a Changing World. W.W. Norton & Co., Inc. 2001.

ASSIGNMENTS:

1. An annotated bibliography of seminal literature in ethnomusicology (minimum 15 entries, 750 words).

2. A three-song portfolio that documents and analyzes newly composed Christian songs from a particular cultural tradition. 
3. A theoretical paper on a topic appropriate for a scholarly meeting of ethnomusicologists (2,500 words) with class presentation.
4. Final Reflection  Paper: A Philosophy of Ethnomusicology-in-Mission for Mission Leaders (1,000 words).
Th.M. Students will complete an additional assignment: 1,250 word paper discussing a particular ethnomusicological area of study. Topic to be approved by the professor.

PREREQUISITES: Permission fo Instruction or ME510.

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM:  Elective.

FINAL EXAM:  None.

Last Date Edited: December 12, 2005