Overview of Course

The official catalog description of this course is: Global aspects of music and its meaning with connections to the environment, sound, and world cultures.
This course explores the global dimensions of music and its meanings, emphasizing connections between sound, environment, and world cultures. As part of the Semester at Sea voyage, students will investigate traditional and contemporary music in each port of call, gaining firsthand exposure to diverse musical practices. The course begins with an introduction to basic music concepts from a Western perspective—such as rhythm, melody, harmony, texture, and improvisation—to support informed listening and analysis throughout the semester. Students will examine the sounds, structures, and aesthetic principles of the musical traditions encountered, considering not only what the music sounds like, but also how it functions within society. Focus areas include ritual, values, history, and cross-cultural influences. The course also addresses the transformation of traditional music into global and hybrid forms shaped by both internal innovation and external exchange. Coursework includes scholarly readings, critical listening, viewing ethnographic videos, performance participation (including singing and instrument playing), and attendance at live music events when possible. Students will complete written reflections, field assignments in ports, and contribute to guided class discussions. These activities foster an understanding of the social contexts, functions, genres, and values embedded in global musical practices.