740-439 Rainforest Societies and their Music

Students in this subject will gain understanding of how groups of people organise themselves and their sonic communications in a specific acoustic environment. This subject is based on the seminal musical ethnographies of Colin Turnbull (on the Mbuti of central Africa); Anthony Seeger (on the Suyá of Amazonian Brazil); Marina Roseman (on the Temiar of Malaysia); and Steven Feld (on the Kaluli of central highland New Guinea).

On completion of this subject students should be able to • make critical, informed and sophisticated responses to new ideas, methodologies and theoretical frameworks in the study of music • integrate a reflective knowledge and an informed understanding of cross-cultural and intercultural concepts and behaviours in musical production from different times and places into their professional and intellectual lives • conduct independent ethnographic and secondary research in ethnomusicology • make intelligent response to aural sources • write in a scholarly manner appropriate to the discipline.

Essay of 2500 words (50%) due at the end of semester; cumulative assignment due at the end of the semester (50%).

A reading pack will be available for purchase before the start of semester.