MCCCD Program Description

Music and Culture

Course: MHL194

First Term: 2023 Fall

Lecture 3.0 Credit(s) 3.0 Period(s) 3.0 Load
Subject Type: Academic
Load Formula: S - Standard Load

Description: Introduction to the study of multicultural music in its social, cultural, historical and economic contexts. Performance of music using percussion, rhythm, and the human body. Historical and social aspects of global cultures` musical expressions.

MCCCD Official Course Competencies
1. Identify cultural aspects of music. (I, II, III, IV, V, VI) 2. Demonstrate listening and performing skills to the music of diverse cultures. (I, II, III, IV, V, VI) 3. Employ critical thinking and analytical skills through writing and discourse. (I, II, III, IV, V, VI) 4. Identify various elements and uses of music in diverse cultures. (I, II, III, IV, V, VI) 5. Assess music from throughout the world in terms of their social, world and historical contexts. (I, II, III,IV, V, VI) 6. Illustrate musicianship through applied demonstrations and performance. (I, II, III, IV, V, VI)
MCCCD Official Course Competencies must be coordinated with the content outline so that each major point in the outline serves one or more competencies. MCCCD faculty retains authority in determining the pedagogical approach, methodology, content sequencing, and assessment metrics for student work. Please see individual course syllabi for additional information, including specific course requirements.

MCCCD Official Course Outline
I. Introduction to cultural aspects of music A. Basic musical competencies 1. Listening skills 2. Music demonstrations (group and individual) B. Geographical distribution of music 1. Movement of people and cultures 2. Origins of cultural musical traits 3. Commonalities of musical material C. Music as a link to the cultural tradition 1. Social aspects of music 2. How musical traditions change D. Ethnographic research, writing and discourse 1. Structure and clarity 2. Methodologies for conducting ethnographic research 3. Proper vocabulary for describing people, cultures and artifacts of Non-Western cultures II. North America A. Similarities and differences between regions B. Indigenous musics C. Vocal styles and instruments 1. Throat singing 2. Plains singing 3. Drums and idiophones 4. Flutes and aerophones 5. Other instruments D. Pan-Indian powwow E. Rituals, dances and beliefs F. Other non-indigenous and folk music traditions III. Middle East and North Africa A. Music and religion 1. Islam a. Music and non-music b. Music in the Koran and the Hadith 2. Sufism and its proliferation of music 3. Judaism 4. Christianity 5. Other religion B. Compositional features of Arabic and Persian music 1. Similarities between instruments and styles 2. Differences in compositional techniques a. Arabic makam b. Persian Gusheh and the Radif c. Scale and tuning system C. Popular music and local traditions IV. Sub-Saharan Africa A. Similarities and differences between regions B. Rhythm and percussion 1. Polyrhythm 2. Drumming 3. Talking drums as communication 4. Xylophones and metallophones 5. Rituals and dances C. Singing and other instrumental ensembles 1. Similarities and differences between regions 2. Role of the griot or storytellers 3. Competitions D. Popular musics of sub-Saharan Africa V. Central and South America A. Indigenous traditions B. Blended cultural influences from other continental regions 1. Spain 2. Portugal 3. Africa 4. Other C. Instrumental ensemble and singing styles 1. Modern 2. Indigenous D. Popular music and dance 1. Santeria 2. Rhumba 3. Son 4. Salsa 5. Samba 6. Capoeira VI. Asia A. Relationship to religion and/or spiritual belief systems B. Compositional aspects of regional music 1. Traditional instrumental and song forms 2. Improvisational systems 3. Notation and compositional systems 4. Cultural nuances of composition C. Instruments and performance 1. Systems for learning and tradition passing 2. Types of ensembles a. Piphat b. Silk and bamboo c. Gamelan d. Nhac Tài tu e. Korean kut f. Hindustani/Carnatic g. Classical musics of Asia h. Other ensembles 3. Vocal styles 4. Comparison to the western classical tradition D. Rhythmic styles 1. Groove-oriented 2. Free rhythmic E. Music of Asian theater, film and dance 1. History and traditions 2. Musical forms and instrumentation 3. Similarities and differences in cultural position

MCCCD Governing Board Approval Date: February 28, 2023

All information published is subject to change without notice. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of information presented, but based on the dynamic nature of the curricular process, course and program information is subject to change in order to reflect the most current information available.