MUS4311 – Music and Cultural Studies

Course description

Course content
Learning outcome
Admission to the course

Teaching
Examination

Schedule, syllabus and examination date

Course content

The course provides an introduction to the intellectual history and key concepts in the analysis of relationships between music and culture. The point of departure is not the study of any particular genre, but on music as a cultural and social phenomenon, based on approaches developed in cultural studies, music sociology, popular music studies, sound studies, music anthropology, and ethnomusicology. Special attention is given to the significance of music in society, and in relation to central concepts such as identity, historiography, globalization, nationalism, multiculturalism, ethnicity, social structures, institutions, cultural policy, and cultural fields (theories of relevance to popular music, jazz, world music, as well as to the classical music field).

Learning outcome

Basic skills in relation to music and cultural analysis
Understand central concepts applied in cultural studies, music sociology, popular music studies, and music anthropology
Knowledge of cultural theory and its relation to understanding the significance of music in different cultures
Ability to apply cultural theory as a foundation for the student’s own masters thesis and essay writing, and for studying music in cultural settings
Ability to reflect independently and critically, and to understand recent theoretical developments in music and culture analysis

Admission to the course

Students who are admitted to study programmes at UiO must each semester?register which courses and exams they wish to sign up for?in Studentweb.

Students enrolled in other Master's Degree Programmes can, on application, be admitted to the course if this is cleared by their own study programme.

If you are not already enrolled as a student at UiO, please see our information about?admission requirements and procedures.

Teaching

8 double hours of lectures
3 hours of seminars. You will be assigned to a group.

Obligatory activities

Participation in the seminar
First draft of the term paper

Information about the assignments and the deadlines will be given during the teaching and in Canvas. You have to hand in the assignments within the deadlines, and you are responsible for familiarising yourself with the requirements for the compulsory activities.

The compulsory activity is only valid within the current semester. All compulsory activities must be approved in order for you to sit the exam. You are responsible for keeping track of any absences, and for checking that you have everything approved.

This is how you apply for a valid absence from compulsory activity/compulsory attendance.