Course Title

Introduction to Ethnomusicology

Course Code

MUS1210

Type of Course

Mandatory, 4 hours/week (2 theory + workshop)

Course Level

Undergraduate

Semester

  1st 

ECTS Credits

6 (3+3)

Professors (-s)

Learning  Outcomes

Knowledge of the history, the course and the development of ethnomusicology.  Retrospect of the main trends that were developed based on ideologies and perceptions specific in time and space (Comparative Musicology, Musical Folklore, Ethnomusicology, Music Anthropology etc).

Comprehension of all “schools” of thought as well as all the ideological influences which accompany the study of oral music traditions.

Applications of all these approaches to the modern needs for the understanding of traditional/popular culture. Classification and delimitation of the different historical and ideological approaches that develop in relation to the definition and study of oral traditions.

Analysis of the basic methodological techniques that relate to the research, recording and study of traditional music elements and cultural expressions. Analysis of issues related to the interconnection between artistic expression and the pursuit of national, ethnic, class identities etc.

Composition of historical, social, political etc reality with the history of scientific ideas-perceptions that accompany the evolution of the science of Ethnomusicology. Comparative study of cases from different geographical-social areas.

Evaluation of this data for the interpretation of the basic trends and perceptions around the study of traditional/popular culture and  its various expressions.

Teaching Approach

Interactive presentation/lecture that is supported by selected audio and video examples.

Prerequisite Courses

Recommended courses in the Curriculum

Aesthetics and Pedagogy – Music Ensembles IV
Aesthetics of Traditional Music – Music Ensembles III
Didactics of the Instrument –  Performance VII
Greek Discography – Music Ensembles II
Perspectives in the Study of Greek Traditional Music I-III
Auditory Culture
Theory of Traditional Music I – Performance I
Theory of Traditional Music II – Performance II
Traditional Orchestras – Music Ensembles I
Makam and Morphology I – Performance V
Makam and Morphology II – Performance VI
Music Cultures around the World
Music Pedagogy I-II
New Hellenism: Political History, Ideology and Legislation
Modality and Harmonization I – Performance III
Modality and Harmonization II – Performance IV
Dance and  Traditional Culture

Course Content

Theory:
Subject, definitions, and goals of ethnomusicology. Historic evolution of the field. Comparative musicology, music folklore. Methods and techniques (ethnographic ethnomusicological research and anthropological approach of the music). Modern trends in the research field (interpretative and reflective ethnomusicology). Music as a performing practice. Economic and ideological-political dimension of music  (music networks). Music performance as ritual and drama (music representation and symbolism). Music biography and music ethnography (life narratives and stories). Ethnomusicology of urban, folk and popular music (music typology, music of the world).

Workshop: 
Analysis of specialized case studies.

Recommended Bibliogaphy 

    Barz, G. F. και T. J. Cooley (επιμ.) (2008). Shadows in the Field: New Perspectives for Fieldwork in Ethnomusicology. New Edition. New York: Oxford University Press

    Blacking, J. (1981). Η Έκφραση της Ανθρώπινης Μουσικότητας (μετφ.: Μιχάλης Γρηγορίου). Αθήνα: Νεφέλη

    Blum, S., P. V. Bohlman και D. M. Finnegan, R. (1989). The Hidden Musicians: MusicMaking in an English Town. New York: Cambridge University Press

    Nettl, B. (1986). Η Μουσική στους Πρωτόγονους Πολιτισμούς (μετφ.: Κώστας Γριμάλδης). Αθήνα: Κάλβος

    Nettl, B. (2005). The Study of Ethnomusicology: Thirty-one Issues and Concepts. New Edition. Urbana: University of Illinois Press.

    Nettl, B. και P. V. Bohlman (επιμ.) (1991), Comparative Musicology and Anthropology of Music: Essays on the History of Ethnomusicology. Chicago, London: University of Chicago Press

    Neumen (επιμ.) (1993). Ethnomusicology and Modern Music History. Urbana, Chicago: University of Illinois Press

   Κάβουρας, Π. (επιμ.) (2010). Φολκλόρ και Παράδοση. Ζητήματα ανα-παράστασης και επιτέλεσης της μουσικής και του χορού. Αθήνα: Νήσος

Χαψούλας, Α. (2010). Εθνομουσικολογία. Ιστοριογραφικές και εθνογραφικές διαστάσεις. Αθήνα: Νήσος

 Learning Exercises

Audio listening and analysis of music examples from the selective discography given in class.

Teaching Methods

The course is based on a tripartite teaching, with the participation of students and discussion

Criteria and Methods of Evaluation

Written examination at the end of the semester. The comprehension of all matters related to ethnomusicology and the study of traditional/popular culture (Theory) as well as the ability of interpreting special case studies (Workshop)  are evaluated.

Teaching Language

Greek