MUSC445 - West African Music and Culture--Beginners

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Academic Year 2005/2006

West African Music and Culture--Beginners
MUSC 445 FA

Clusters:

African Studies

This course is designed to provide a practical and theoretical introduction to traditional West African music and culture. Students experience the rhythms, songs, movements, and languages of Ghana and its neighboring countries through oral transmission, assigned readings, film viewing, and guided listening to commercial and/or field recordings. This interdisciplinary approach to learning is in keeping with the integrated nature of drumming, dancing, singing, and hand clapping in West Africa. Students learn to play a range of instruments including drums, metal bells, and gourd rattles. Intercultural literacy is promoted through a varied repertoire of recreational, ritual, warrior, funeral, and ceremonial music drawn from diverse ethnic groups of Ghana and its neighbors.

MAJOR READINGS

To be announced.

EXAMINATIONS AND ASSIGNMENTS

Rhythms and songs are presented orally. Through practice, students master the assignments from one lesson to the next.

Assessment is based on attendance, participation in ensemble music activities and class discussions, and written assignments.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS and/or COMMENTS

Previous formal music instruction is not necessary. No prerequisites are required. Preference to junior and senior music majors and those enrolled in Afro-American studies and related music courses. Interested students should attend first class meeting. There will be no preregistration for this class.

COURSE FORMAT: Performance

REGISTRATION INFORMATION

Level: UGRD Credit: 1 Gen Ed Area Dept: HA MUSC Grading Mode: Student Option

Prerequisites: NONE

SECTION 01

Instructor(s): Adzenyah,Abraham C.

Times: .M.W... 02:40PM-04:30PM; Location: RHH109;

Reserved Seats: (Total Limit: 35)

Special Attributes:

Curricular Renewal: Reading Non-Verbal Texts

Permission: Permission of Instructor Required
POI will be granted by the instructor during the drop/add period using electronic drop/add.

Links to Web Resources For This Course.

Last Updated on MAR-30-2006