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Musical Beliefs: Contemporary and Ancient - MUSC5132
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Faculty: Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences
 
 
School:  School of English, Media and Performing Arts
 
 
Course Outline: http://music.arts.unsw.edu.au/
 
 
Campus: Kensington Campus
 
 
Career: Postgraduate
 
 
Units of Credit: 8
 
 
EFTSL: 0.16667 (more info)
 
 
Indicative Contact Hours per Week: 2
 
 
Fee Band: 1 (more info)
 
 
Further Information: See Class Timetable
 
 

Description

Examines Western Music as a cultural invention and its long history which has traditionally been linked to science and human perception of the natural world. Contemporary research shows how western beliefs about music have shaped our attitudes to music and to music education, often blinding us to their essential cultural foundation and to the worth of music in other cultures. From Pythagoras and Boethius to J-P Rameau and Helmholtz, various composers have argued for and against the premise that musical activity in the West has been held up as part of the natural order of things. Finally, the 20th century marks the end of the domination of Pythagoras and Plato on western musical sensibilities. The various ramifications of all this for contemporary music education are examined.

Learning Outcomes

At the end of the course, students should be able to:
  • Summarise and assess research that examines the beliefs constructed from the cultural foundations of music
  • Demonstrate an appreciation of different cultural beliefs that have not been derived from the assumptions commonly taken for granted in the West
  • Incorporate inter-cultural perspectives into contemporary music education.

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© The University of New South Wales (CRICOS Provider No.: 00098G), 2004-2011. The information contained in this Handbook is indicative only. While every effort is made to keep this information up-to-date, the University reserves the right to discontinue or vary arrangements, programs and courses at any time without notice and at its discretion. While the University will try to avoid or minimise any inconvenience, changes may also be made to programs, courses and staff after enrolment. The University may also set limits on the number of students in a course.