MUET 3030

MUSIC CULTURES OF THE WORLD

Dr. Friedson
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 369-7541
Office Hours: T, R 12:30-2:00 or by appointment
Music: Rm. 313

COURSE INFORMATION:
A selected survey of music cultures of the world. We will examine musical traditions from a
perspective that emphasizes music as an integral part of society and culture.
COURSE OBJECTIVES:
1) To increase understanding of diverse music cultures.
2) To develop awareness and appreciation of aesthetic dimensions of culture.
3) To acquire critical listening skills.
RELATED DISCIPLINES AND MAJORS:
A broader understanding of music cultures offers to majors in all fields of study a greater
appreciation for the diversity and creativity of humankind.
POTENTIAL STUDENT BENEFITS:
Music making is a universal human activity. All cultures have music, and as such it is an
important and worthy area of study that too often has been neglected. The study of non-Western
music offers students a deeper understanding of not only other peoples, but also the possibility of
gaining new insights into their own culture.
GRADE EVALUATION:
Your work will be evaluated on the basis of class attendance and three exams. In order to pass
the course you must take all three exams. There are a total of 400 points for the course. You
automatically receive 100 points for appearing on the official audit class roll. For each class
missed without an excused absence you will lose three points. An excused absence is at the
discretion of the instructor and may require documentation. After 4 unexcused absences, for
each subsequent absence you will lose 10 points. Each exam is worth 100 points. Your grade is
based on the following standard percentage of points earned:
360 - 400 (90%) = A
320 - 359 (80%) = B
280 - 319 (70%) = C
240 - 279 (60%) = D
Below 240 =F
Throughout the semester there will be numerous opportunities for earning extra-credit points.
Student conduct for this class is governed by the “Student Standards of Academic Integrity
Policy,” which can be found at the following website http://vpaa.unt.edu/academic-integrity.htm.

All electronic devices must be turned off during class. The failure to adhere to this
policy will result in being counted absent for the class.
 REQUIRED TEXT

Worlds of Music: An Introduction to the Music of the World's Peoples (5th Edition), edited by
Jeff Titon, published by Cengage Learning. There are two options available:
• Download the specific chapters we will be using from
http://www.cengage.com/search/productOverview.do?N=+11&Ntk=P_Isbn13&Ntt
=9780534595395
Chapters 1, 2, 3, 6, and 7. (Chapter one is already posted on Blackboard and does
not need to be purchased)
• Buy Worlds of Music, 5th Edition, long version only. (The “Shorter Version” and the 4th
edition long version will not work for this class.)
Test questions include material directly based on course readings. There also will be listening
questions based on musical examples taken from the 4-CD set that accompanies the text and
music examples played in class, which are posted on Blackboard. It is highly recommended that
you purchase the 4 CD set. A copy is on reserve at the Audio Center, 4th Floor, Willis Library.

SYLLABUS
MUET 3030: MUSIC CULTURES OF THE WORLD

This  Class  meets  

TOPIC   Reading  
Tuesday  and  Thursday  

Introduction to class and general

Class  Meeting  1   Chapter  1  
overview  

Soundscapes: Ethnomusicology and Chapter  1  

Class  Meeting  2  
the Study of Musical Experience cont.  

“The  Throat  
Singers  of  
Case Study: Tuvan Throat Singing Tuva”  
Class  Meeting  3  
(posted  on  
Blackboard)  
 

DVD: Genghis Blues

Class  Meeting  4    
 

Introduction to Native American

Class  Meeting  5   Chapter  2  
Music: Pow-wows and stereotypes  

Navajo: Ceremonial life on the Chapter  2  

Class  Meeting  6  
reservation cont.  
 Navajo: Ceremonial life on the Chapter  2  
Class  Meeting  7  
reservation cont. cont.  

Peyote Songs and The Native Chapter  2  

Class  Meeting  8  
American Church cont.  

Peyote Songs and The Native Chapter  2  

Class  Meeting  9  
American Church cont. cont.  

Chapters  1,  
2,  and  
Class  Meeting  10   Review for test     article  on  
Tuvan  
throatsining  

Class  Meeting  11   TEST  1    

Class  Meeting  12   Introduction to African music Chapter  3    

Chapter  3  
Class  Meeting  13   Case Study: Ewes of Ghana   cont.  

Chapter  3  
Class  Meeting  14   Guest Artist  
cont.  

Griots of West Africa: Praise for Chapter  3  

Class  Meeting  15  
Patronage cont.  

Chapter  3  
Class  Meeting  16   Zimbabwe: The Soul of Mbira cont.  

 Chapter  3  
Class  Meeting  17   The Forest People cont.  

Chapter  3  
Class  Meeting  18   The Forest People cont.  

Class  Meeting  19   Trance Dancing in Africa  

Class  Meeting  20   Review  Test  2   Chapter  3  

Class  Meeting  21   Test  2    

Class  Meeting  22   Introduction to Indian Music-Culture    Chapter  6  

Chapter  6  
Class  Meeting  23   Bollywood
cont.  

Chapter  6  
Class  Meeting  24   The Southern Carnatic Tradition cont.  

The Southern Carnatic Tradition Chapter  6  

Class  Meeting  25  
cont. cont.  

Chapter  6  
Class  Meeting  26   Indian Music in the West cont.  

Indonesia: Javanese Gamelan Music  Chapter  7  

Class  Meeting  27  
of the Royal Courts cont.  

Chapter  7  
Class  Meeting  28   Javanese Gamelan cont. cont.  

Chapter  7  
Class  Meeting  29   Balinese Gamelan: Guest Lecture cont.  

Review for Final Chapters  6  

Class  Meeting  30  
and  7  

Class  Meeting  31   Test  3:  Final