Office:             Edward Johnson Bldg., Rm. 230

Office Phone: (416) 946-0221

Office Hours: Tuesdays 1:30-3:30 and by appointment

Course Website:

 

COURSE OBJECTIVES: This course explores musical and cultural cross-fertilization between the African continent and the Caribbean, South America, and Europe. Beginning with traditional musics from selected regions of the African continent, the course examines the cultural and musical implications of globalization on peoples of the African diaspora and their multicultural audiences. Popular and traditional musics of Mali, Ghana, Nigeria, South Africa, Haiti, the Dominican Republic, Brazil, the United States, and Canada are included.

 

READINGS & LISTENING: There is no textbook for this course; instead, readings will be assigned from a variety of sources.  Most are on Reserve in the Music Library.  Listening will be on Reserve in the Music Library and/or available streamed on the website.  Listening assignments will be updated on the website.

 

ASSIGNMENTS

All written assignments are to be typewritten using the following criteria:

            Double spaced

            Times New Roman 12 pt. or Courier New 10pt.

            1” margins

All citations and style issues refer to The Chicago Manual of Style, 15th Edition or The MLA Handbook.

 

Aural Analyses

In 500 words, give a concise analysis of the melodic and rhythmic aspects of a recorded example, and describe some of the elementary features of the structure of the performance. NB: This is NOT a transcription.

 

Precis

One page description of your paper topic, with working bibliography attached.

 

Transcription

Ethnomusicological transcription of approximately 30 seconds of music, selected from the assigned listening examples. This short segment should be transcribed as clearly and completely as possible using either western notation or an alternative notational system, accompanied by a detailed key. Append a short written analysis of the melodic/rhythmic structure of your chosen example (about 250-300 words).

 

Ethnomusicology Article Review

Choose an ethnomusicological article on African or African Diaspora music written in the last decade and write 500 words detailing its approach, theoretical insights, and assessing its value for research.

 

Term Paper

Undergraduates:           8-10 pages

Graduates:                    15 pages

See Term Paper Handout

 

COURSE POLICIES:

Student Responsibility

It is the student’s responsibility to be aware of policies, procedures and deadlines which are in effect during his/her attendance at the University of Toronto.  It is also the student’s responsibility to attend classes regularly, to keep his/her work up to date, to complete assignments as required, and to check the course website for announcements regularly. It is the responsibility of students with disabilities and/or personal circumstances that may negatively affect their academic performance to inform me as early in the term as possible, either directly or through the graduate coordinator, advisor, registrar, or other appropriate channels with appropriate documentation.  For further information on University policies regarding disabilities, please see http://www.library.utoronto.ca/equity/ssd.htm or http://www.sa.utoronto.ca/area.php?waid=5

Term Assignment Late Policy

Assignments are to be submitted personally at the BEGINNING of class on the due date. Assignments submitted at any time after class has begun will be considered late and will be penalized at a rate of 10% per business day.  For example, late assignments received within the first 24 hours of the deadline will be penalized 10%; assignments received the day after the deadline will be penalized an additional 10%, and so forth.  Late papers will be accepted for a maximum of five business days past the due date, after which assignments cannot be accepted.  There are no extensions.

Plagiarism and Other Academic Offenses

Any instance of academic dishonesty will be dealt with according to University policy, including submitting one assignment for two courses.  Students are advised to consult the relevant sections of the current Faculty of Music Calendar.

 

GRADING:

Aural Analyses                                                             15%

Precis                                                                                       5%

Transcription                                                                            25%

Ethnomusicology Article Review                                               25%

Term Paper                                                                              30%

 

IMPORTANT DATES

January 6                      Course Begins

January 27                    Aural Analysis

February 3                   Precis Due

February 24                 Transcription Due

March 10                     Article Review Due

March 31                     Term Paper Due

April 7                          Last Day of Class