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MUS-20062 - Module Specification
School of Humanities
Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences

For academic year: 2022/23 Last Updated: 19 January 2023

MUS-20062 - Introduction to Ethnomusicology and Ethnography
Coordinator: Fiorella Montero Diaz Room: CKF02 Tel: +44 1782 7 34595
Lecture Time: See Timetable...
Level: Level 5
Credits: 15
Study Hours: 150
School Office: 01782 733147

Programme/Approved Electives for 2022/23

None

Available as a Free Standing Elective

Yes

Co-requisites

None

Prerequisites

None

Barred Combinations




Description for 2022/23

This module offers an introduction to the tools and methods used by ethnomusicologists to study music in society. Ethnomusicology seeks to understand not only what music is, but why it is. This leads scholars to seek out contexts where music is found and carry out research through fieldwork and participant observation.

The methods used in ethnomusicology can be applied to any genre of music in any context from amateur gigs at the local pub to professional casts performing at opera houses.

This module offers students an introduction to the theory and practice of ethnographic methods through lectures and tutorials. Students will have ample opportunity to develop their skills by undertaking their own ethnographic, empirical and practice-led research.

Students are expected to complete a research portfolio that may include recordings, a performance and performance diary or a short film in addition to a written piece. This is an opportunity for students to document the experience of immersing themselves in a music genre they have been wanting to explore; or perhaps use video to document a music tradition they are passionate about.

Whatever your music interest, this module will begin to prepare you for in-depth in-the-field research in the area you choose.

Aims
¿To introduce themes and issues, methods and approaches, perspectives and debates concerning music ethnography.
¿To expose students to various modalities of ethnographic fieldwork and their strengths and weaknesses.
¿To enable students to plan, prepare, conduct and write up their own original ethnographic research project, putting ethnographic methods, research techniques and approaches into practice and reflecting critically on and evaluating their project and the research they have conducted.
¿To learn how to organise and analyse fieldwork data, in preparation for ethnographic writing.
¿To develop an ethnographic research proposal centered on a fieldwork project.
¿To nurture critical and reflective skills in ethnomusicology.

Intended Learning Outcomes

recognise and assess critically issues, methods, approaches, perspectives and debates concerning music ethnography: 1
develop an ethnographic research proposal centered on a fieldwork project: 1
plan, prepare, conduct and write up an original ethnographic portfolio, putting ethnographic methods, research techniques and approaches into practice reflecting on and evaluating own research carried out: 1
engage with the organisation and analysis of fieldwork data: 1
engage in ethical and reflective ethnographic writing, which includes gaining formal ethical approval: 1
engage with and develop research techniques such as performing, ethnographic film, audio-visual recording and archiving: 1
describe and make critical judgments about various modalities of ethnographic fieldwork: 1

Study hours

12 hours of lectures
6 hours of tutorials
4 hours small-group consultations
30 hours of lecture and tutorial preparation
96 hours preparation for summative assessments


School Rules

Students who complete this module may not then take MUS-30047

Description of Module Assessment

1: Portfolio weighted 100%
A short piece of ethnographic research on a topic chosen by the student in consultation with the lecturer
A short piece of ethnographic research on a topic chosen by the student in consultation with the lecturer. Students will be required to apply contrasting music ethnographic methods and techniques in this research. Based on their research, students will be required to produce a portfolio containing three related elements: a) A 3000-word ethnographic essay on a music topic chosen by the student in consultation with the lecturer. This essay should also include a critical evaluation about the modalities of the student's ethnographic fieldwork, their strengths and weaknesses. b) One of the following: - A diary of learning through performing, which will be accompanied by a video of a small performance in the tradition chosen. (This item will only be accepted as a choice if the instrument or vocal technique performed is NOT the student¿s main instrument or vocal technique). - A short ethnographic film (approx. 10 min.) c) One of the following: - Photographs of a music performance. - One interview transcription (10 minutes of audio). Students are required to include the audio of the interview. Students dealing with human subjects must gain ethical approval from the University (students will need to complete ethical approval forms).

Please note that for the 2022/23 Academic Year programmes may be adapted to operate in accordance with a flexible, digital approach. This means that there may be some changes made to how modules are delivered and assessed. The latest information will be provided to you by your School in module handbooks. We endeavour to give you as much notice as possible of any changes and details about the circumstance in which changes are made to programmes can be found in the Student Agreement, available at: https://www.keele.ac.uk/student-terms-and-conditions/

Last Updated: 19 January 2023