Revised 08/2021

MUS 226 - World Music (3 CR.)

Course Description

Explores music emanating from cultural traditions around the world within their respective socio-cultural contexts. Introduces basic elements of music. Increases global awareness and enhances knowledge of the origins, evolution, aesthetics and purposes of music from an ethnomusicological perspective. This is a UCGS transfer course. Lecture 3 hours per week.

General Course Purpose

Broaden the awareness of world cultures through an examination of music produced within the cultural contexts of social groups throughout the world.

Course Prerequisites/Corequisites

None.

Course Objectives

Upon completing the course, the student will be able to:
  • Communication
    • Effectively communicate music observations through written and/or oral communication
  • Civic Engagement
    • Demonstrate receptivity to the diversity of cultures and life experiences within societies
    • Identify values that other cultures can bring to society to promote civic engagement
  • Cultural and Social Understanding
    • Demonstrate knowledge of the role of music in different socio-cultural contexts
    • Identify historical factors that influence the evolution of music within a culture
    • Recognize/describe how aesthetics vary from one culture to another
    • Identify commonalities and value differences between cultures
  • Personal Development
    • Augment listening skills through assignments/assessments designed to listen analytically and critically to music
    • Evaluate music from other cultures using appropriate musical terms and an understanding of aesthetic values
    • Demonstrate receptivity to understanding world cultures to make informed personal and interpersonal decisions
    • Cultivate personal goals related to music listening, participation, or performance attendance
  • Introduce Basic Elements of Music
    • Demonstrate a knowledge of the basic elements of music
    • Identify instrument groups: aerophones, idiophones, chordophones, membranophones and electrophones
    • Describe various approaches to learning how to play an instrument
    • Explain the difference between the processes of improvisation and composition
  • World music cultures and traditions
    • Recognize various genres of non-classical music stemming from at least 4 geographic regions or cultural traditions
    • Identify instruments specific to those genres
    • Identify specific historical/socio-cultural factors that influenced the music
  • Apply the above objectives while considering case studies from at least 4 separate cultures and traditions, such as:
    • Central and South Asia, e.g., Uzbekistan, Caucasus, India, Nepal
    • Far East, e.g., China, Japan, Indonesia, Korea
    • Middle East, e.g., Turkey, Egypt, Israel, Iraq, Saudi Arabia
    • Africa, e.g., Western, Northern, Eastern and South Africa
    • Caribbean, e.g., Haiti, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Jamaica
    • Latin America, e.g., Peru, Colombia, Brazil, Argentina
    • Music from North America, e.g., jazz, blues, bluegrass, country
    • Native North America, e.g., Iroquois, Navajo, Apache, Lakota
    • Diaspora communities

Major Topics to Be Included

  • Communication
  • Civic Engagement
  • Cultural and Social Understanding
  • Personal Development
  • Introduce Basic Elements of Music
  • World music cultures and traditions