UCLA Department of Ethnomusicology

Instructor:
Kevin C. Miller
Office hours: Mon. and Wed. 12-1pm
Email: kcmiller@ucla.edu
Office: SMB 2655/Phone 310-206-8295

Teaching Assistants:
Christina Zanfagna
email: cmz@ucla.edu
Office: SMB 2418

Phone: 310-825-7551
TA's office hours: 11am-12pm Office: SMB 2418

This course surveys music around the world through the perspective of ethnomusicology, the study of music as a cultural phenomenon. Since No ten-week course can provide an extensive and/or exhaustive survey of all the musics of the world, we will choose one or two case studies from each of seven musical world regions: Africa, North America, Latin America, South Asia, the Middle East, Southeast Asia, and East Asia. Through studying the “traditional” and popular musics of various cultural groups, we will learn about the geography, history, religious practices, and cultural habits of numerous world cultures and the nation-states they inhabit. We will also interrogate the ways that music is studied and understood as a social activity, ritual practice, and a fundamental means of expression for both individuals and communities. We will emphasize both critical thinking and critical listening as we venture into learning about the world through its music.