Ethnomusicology BA

Overview

The undergraduate major in Ethnomusicology emphasizes general world music, performance/composition, public ethnomusicology, and scholarly research. Admission requires an audition/interview. The major provides students with a wide-ranging liberal arts education in music. At its core, this includes (1) comprehensive knowledge of music cultures of the world; (2) understanding of the interrelationship … For more content click the Read More button below.

The undergraduate major in Ethnomusicology emphasizes general world music, performance/composition, public ethnomusicology, and scholarly research. Admission requires an audition/interview. The major provides students with a wide-ranging liberal arts education in music. At its core, this includes (1) comprehensive knowledge of music cultures of the world; (2) understanding of the interrelationship of music, society, and culture; (3) grounding in the basics of Western music theory and musicianship; and (4) the experience of playing in one or several musical ensembles from various traditions around the world.

Beyond the core and emphasis requirements, students in the world music concentration may, through elective courses, prepare for a variety of career goals, including the study of ethnomusicology in graduate school, composing and performing music, working in the music industry, serving society in the nonprofit sector, or becoming a K through 12 music teacher.

The Ethnomusicology major is a designated capstone major. The capstone project is individualized to each student and requires a creative process either through music performance/composition, a research project, or an internship with a self-reflective journal detailing the process. Through that process, students are expected to demonstrate a broad knowledge base and competency in performance, writing, and/or composition and ability to apply knowledge and experience to the specific requirements of the capstone; conceive and successfully complete a project that is expressive of their specific interests and acquired expertise; and display, through written documentation or live presentation, the requisite communication and, in some cases, teamwork required by work in this field.

Learning Outcomes

Demonstrated broad knowledge and competency in performance, writing, and/or composition

Demonstrated ability to apply knowledge and experience to capstone requirements

Conception and successful completion of a project that is individually expressive of the student’s specific interests and acquired expertise

Written document or live presentation that displays requisite communication and teamwork required by work in the field

Requirements

Admission

Preparation for the Major

All entering first years are required to take the Music Theory Assessment Examination either during New Student Orientation or during zero week of fall quarter. The examination score is used to determine eligibility and placement in first-year music core courses (Ethnomusicology M6A, M6B, M6C, and Music 20A, 20B, 20C). Examination results may require enrollment in Music 3 as a requisite to both Ethnomusicology M6A and Music 20A. Entering transfer students with fewer than 15 units of prior music theory must take the Music Theory Assessment Examination.

Required: Ethnomusicology M6A, M6B, M6C, with grades of C- or better; 20A, 20B, 20C, with grades of C or better; Music 20A, 20B, 20C, with grades of C or better; and 12 units of ethnomusicology world music performance organizations (courses 91A through 91Z), private instruction in music (course 92), and/or world music specializations (courses 68A through 68Z).

The Major

Required: Ethnomusicology 175 or 181, 183; 12 units from courses 161A through 161Z, 162, and/or 168A through 168Z; a minimum of eight upper-division ethnomusicology courses (32 to 36 units); and a capstone project in either (1) performance/composition, (2) public ethnomusicology, (3) scholarly research, or (4) other potential emphasis concepts in consultation with a faculty adviser.

Performance/Composition Capstone: Students must fulfill the capstone final project requirement (4 units) through a public recital (performance). Students must enroll in Ethnomusicology 199 (2 units) and pass a recital permission jury. Instrumental and vocal performers must present a portion of their recital performance, and composers must present excerpts from their recital scores in front of two faculty members. Students also enroll in Ethnomusicology 186 (2 units) during the term in which they perform their recital or their composition(s) are performed.

Public Ethnomusicology Capstone: Students must fulfill the capstone internship requirement, which consists of 8 units of Ethnomusicology 195B, in an institution approved by the faculty sponsor. Students must write a final research paper (at least 10 pages) at the completion of each internship.

Scholarly Research Capstone: Students must write a capstone thesis (25 to 30 pages) and enroll in Ethnomusicology 199 (2 units minimum) for at least one term while writing the thesis.

Independent Capstone: In consultation with a faculty adviser, students can propose capstone projects in other potential emphasis concepts such as technologies, film scoring, interactive arts, dance, and more. Students must enroll in Ethnomusicology 199 (2 units minimum).