Anthropology of Music
A.Y. 2021/2022
Learning objectives
The course aims to introduce to the knowledge of the anthropology of music, a disciplinary area between musicology and cultural anthropology, and the specificity of its working methods. The monographic topics of each year will be the occasion for analysis on musical practices in relation to their cultural contexts.
Expected learning outcomes
At the end, the students have acquired knowledge of the methods and perspectives of the anthropology of music, with particular reference to the monographic topic introduced each academic year.
Lesson period: Second semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course cannot be attended as a single course. Please check our list of single courses to find the ones available for enrolment.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
Second semester
More specific information on the delivery modes of training activities for academic year 2021/22 will be provided over the coming months, based on the evolution of the public health situation.
Course syllabus
Sonic Ethnography/ technological mediations
The course, divided into two units, intends to discuss the methodologies of research in the field and presentation of results, focusing in particular on the forms of technological mediation used by researchers.
The first unit will take stock of the documentation strategies used over time to study sound events and musical practices; it will deal with recent developments, which led to a greater use of dialogic and collaborative practices and an intense use of sound recording technologies.
The second unit deals with the epic song of the Balkan area as a specific case, focusing on the different methods with which it was fixed and studied, on the implications that they had on its perception and restitution, and on some recent investigations that have compared materials from archives with new field research.
The course, divided into two units, intends to discuss the methodologies of research in the field and presentation of results, focusing in particular on the forms of technological mediation used by researchers.
The first unit will take stock of the documentation strategies used over time to study sound events and musical practices; it will deal with recent developments, which led to a greater use of dialogic and collaborative practices and an intense use of sound recording technologies.
The second unit deals with the epic song of the Balkan area as a specific case, focusing on the different methods with which it was fixed and studied, on the implications that they had on its perception and restitution, and on some recent investigations that have compared materials from archives with new field research.
Prerequisites for admission
The course requires knowledge acquired during the previous three years in the fields of ethnomusicology, cultural anthropology, knowledge of musical language and the history of music.
Teaching methods
Frontal lessons.
Viewing, listening and commenting on audiovisual materials.
Viewing, listening and commenting on audiovisual materials.
Teaching Resources
The basict text of the course are the books:
Lorenzo Ferrarini, Nicola Scaldaferri. Sonic Ethnography. Identity, heritage and creative research practice in Basilicata, southern Italy. Manchester University Press. 2020. In open access here: https://manchesteruniversitypress.co.uk/9781526152008/
Nicola Scaldaferri (ed.), Wild Songs, Sweet Songs: The Albanian Epic in the Collections of Milman Parry and Albert B. Lord. Milman Parry Collection of Oral Literature. Harvard University Press. 2021. Accessibible here:
https://chs.harvard.edu/book/wild-songs-sweet-songs-the-albanian-epic-in-the-collections-of-milman-parry-and-albert-b-lord/
Other info will be provided at the beginning of the second semester on ARIEL.
Lorenzo Ferrarini, Nicola Scaldaferri. Sonic Ethnography. Identity, heritage and creative research practice in Basilicata, southern Italy. Manchester University Press. 2020. In open access here: https://manchesteruniversitypress.co.uk/9781526152008/
Nicola Scaldaferri (ed.), Wild Songs, Sweet Songs: The Albanian Epic in the Collections of Milman Parry and Albert B. Lord. Milman Parry Collection of Oral Literature. Harvard University Press. 2021. Accessibible here:
https://chs.harvard.edu/book/wild-songs-sweet-songs-the-albanian-epic-in-the-collections-of-milman-parry-and-albert-b-lord/
Other info will be provided at the beginning of the second semester on ARIEL.
Assessment methods and Criteria
The exam takes place orally about the topics presented during the course, the bibliography and the audiovisual materials in the program. The following points will be assessed: the ability to critically re-elaborate the topics discussed in the course; the knowledge of the contents in the program; the ability to discuss and create connections and develope personal interpretative perspectives; the consistency of terminological expression.
Further information will be provided at the beginning of the lessons.
As an alternative examination, students can prepare a written paper of 3500-4000 words (bibliography excluded), on a topic to be agreed, which is inspired by the topics covered in class.
The modes of examination for students with physical and/or learning disabilities will need to be agreed with the instructor, according with the guidelines of the competent Helpdesk.
Further information will be provided at the beginning of the lessons.
As an alternative examination, students can prepare a written paper of 3500-4000 words (bibliography excluded), on a topic to be agreed, which is inspired by the topics covered in class.
The modes of examination for students with physical and/or learning disabilities will need to be agreed with the instructor, according with the guidelines of the competent Helpdesk.
Unita' didattica
L-ART/08 - ETHNOMUSICOLGY - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Unita' didattica
L-ART/08 - ETHNOMUSICOLGY - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Professor(s)
Reception:
Office hours can take place in presence during class days after the class; in other period, by appointment. Otherwise, on Teams.
Via Noto 6, 1st floor