MUS 326 - Musical Cultures of the Caribbean and Latin America

Open to non-music majors. This course is an introduction to musical styles of the Caribbean, South America and Latin America with emphases on theory, forms, instruments, and sociological implications. The course introduces the student to ethnomusicology - the study of music in a people’s way of life. This treats music as a distillation of cultural styles, approaching diverse musical styles with the desire to understand them on their own terms, as the people who make the music the music would understand them. By region we examine life histories and autobiographies that are essential to understanding the meaning and purpose of musical performances: additional musical, sociological, geopolitical, and cultural-spiritual elements are studied to lead to understanding. (Offered as needed.) 3 credits