Programme Outline
Autumn Semester
MU5101: History of Ethnomusicology
The history and development of ethnomusicological theory since the nineteenth century: recent application of anthropological methods in the discipline including: functionalist, symbolic structuralist, cognitive, practice and interpretative approaches.
MU5012: Methods in Ethnomusicology
The techniques and methods associated with ethnomusicological research; relevant classes in bibliography, transcription, analysis, classification, organology and fieldwork. Students will be expected to compile a relevant portfolio of class assignments in preparation for an independent research project in conjunction with the Music Practicum.
MU5031: Processes of Change in Irish Traditional Music
The history, theory and practice of Irish traditional music; the development of individual musical instruments; the structure of characteristic musical forms; the development of specific performance contents with special reference to patronage, audience, and aesthetic interest. In addition, students will be encouraged to participate in one of the relevant ensembles resident on campus. The module will appeal especially to those students who have limited knowledge of the topic.
Spring Semester:
MU5022: Anthropology of Music
This module will be tailored to suit the musical and academic interests of individual participants and will provide an innovative framework for investigating music in its cultural context. That is, anthropological methods will be utilized to study issues pertinent to the tradition including: musical discourse, native conceptualisation, performance practice, social organisation, gender issues, cross-cultural aesthetics and post modern critiques.
MU5032: World Music Survey
A study of the musical traditions of the world from an ethnomusicological perspective. The module will introduce students to the musical traditions of North-East Asia, Oceania, South-East Asia, South Asia, Middle East and North Africa, Africa South of the Sahara, Europe, North America and South America and will include the description of characteristic musical attributes for each cultural region.
MD 5512: Spring Elective
This module offers students the opportunity to pursue self-directed learning of an academic or performance-based project, under the guidance of the course director and an elective supervisor. The student my wish to use the elective to pursue more specialised study in his/her area of specialisation, or to access the other areas of expertise available at the centre. These currently include Ethnomusicology, Irish/Traditional/Contemporary Dance Performance, Music Technology, Ethnochoreology, Education Music, Community Music, Chant, Ritual Studies, Music Therapy, Irish Traditional Music, Classical String Performance and other specialist research interests of faculty and doctoral researchers at the centre.
MD 5522: Final Presentation
The Final presentation involves the final performance/submission/combination of both, offered by the student as the culmination of his/her work during the course of the programme. The presentation is designed in consultation with the course director and is weighted at nine credits.
18 February, 2008
