INTRODUCTION TO MUSIC IN THE MIDDLE EAST - Spring 2014 MUS342/ISL373/MEL321/MES342 Unique numbers 22323/42179/42278/42516 Instructor: Prof. Sonia Seeman Meetings: T-Th 12:30-1:45 pm MRH 2.634 [email protected] office phone 471-2854 Office: MBE 3.204 Office hours: Tues 3:30-5:30, and by appointment The region of the world labeled as “the Middle East” encompasses a myriad of linguistic, ethnic, and religious communities. This course provides an introduction to the complex history of classical, traditional and popular music genres from this region. While this geographic area is populated by a variety of communities, there are several common factors which underlie the variety cultural practices of the communities in these regions. As the birthplace of the dominant Abrahamic traditions (Judaism, Christianity, Islam) these areas are the seat of significant religious discourses that effect and shape musical practice. Contemporary musical practices are informed by elaborate musical theoretical systems that continue a legacy of neo-platonic Hellenic philosophy. Political changes have also significantly had an impact on musical performances and ideas about music. Late 18-19th century modernization trends from colonization and from local political institutions have shaped pedagogy, musical style, musical forms, and instrumentation. Local models of nation-states accelerated these processes through the 19-and early 20th century. Despite Western portrayals of the Middle East as “backwards”, regional participation in developing media, technology have imprinted changes in political ideology, religious debates and class formations, as in other world regions. These factors have intertwined to produce new forms of musical expression and fueled social and political movements. This course will introduce you to music of the Middle East by surveying shared musical features, then focusing on particular communities and regions: Islamic, Christian and Jewish communities; Ottoman Empire; Turkey, and one example from the former Ottoman territory of Macedonia; Egypt; Iran; North Africa; Israel; Palestine. While we will conduct our survey by area, we will look at regional musical practices in light of the following topics: 1. Court, urban/popular and rural-regional traditions 2. Relationship between music and ritual in religious traditions 3. 19th-20th century nation state formation, identity practices and musical change 4. Media and mass-reproductive technology in the development of new forms 5. Post-1960s musical changes: changes in class formations; cross-regional alliances; post-colonial states; emergent political discourses. This course carries two flags: the Writing Flag and the Global Cultures Flag. Writing Flag courses are designed to give students experience with writing in an academic discipline. In this class, you can expect to write regularly during the semester, complete substantial writing projects, and receive feedback from your instructor to help you improve your writing. You will also have the opportunity to revise one or more assignments, and to read and discuss your peers' work. You should therefore expect a substantial portion of your grade to come from your written work. Global Cultures courses are designed to increase your familiarity with cultural groups outside the United States. You should therefore expect a substantial portion of your grade to come from assignments covering the practices, beliefs, and histories of non-U.S. cultural groups, past or present. 1 Assignments and grading Assignments will consist of reading, active listening, and film viewing. Students will write 4 short essays based on readings, and a final paper. Students should also be aware of the opportunity to enroll in an ensemble course, Middle Eastern Music Ensemble, which meets Thursday evenings 7-10 pm. Guest lectures/performances given by visiting musicians and local scholars are being planned as part of the course curriculum as well. You will be expected to demonstrate your grasp of the reading, listening and/or viewing assignments in preparation for participation in the sessions. You will also prepare a final paper (8-10 pages, double spaced, plus a bibliography) that will incorporate your short writing assignments. The emphasis will be on clarity of writing as well as accurate inclusion of musical information. Reading Materials Readings and other required materials will be posted on blackboard under “course documents.” Listening examples will also places in a “listening” folder. You are expected to read the accompanying materials that go with each lecture. During the lecture I will invite discussion, and there will be sessions which will involve participation and active engagement. It is advisable to read or print out readings early so that last-minute technical problems can be avoided. Whenever possible, I have also put hard copy of readings on two-hour reserve in the Fine Arts Library in case you would prefer to access them there. Listening: You will be required to listen to music each week and to be responsible for recognizing and identifying examples which we have listened to and discussed in class for your exams; approximately three pieces per lecture will be expected of you. Students will be asked to remember something about the histories, contexts, functions, and social significance of assigned music. For each example assigned, I suggest making a list for test review that includes as much of the following information as possible: —The title of the piece and the composer, if known —The culture area/country with which it is associated — The lyrics of the piece, what they discuss — The instrumentation of the piece — The typical contexts in which it is performed; i.e. its social function — The formal musical characteristics that define the genre Assignments for Graduate Students Graduate students enrolled in MUS 342 should expect to write a research paper on a topic of their choice that relates to the focus of the course. Individual written projects should be 12-15 pp. of body text in length. In addition, graduate music students are required to complete two additional assignments: First, they must transcribe and analyze at least one minute’s worth of music from one of the examples provided on their class listening tapes. This work may be incorporated into and/or support their final written project, or it may be separate from it. Second, they must learn to play and/or sing a representative piece or rhythm of frm Middle Eastern repertoire unfamiliar to them. This may be accomplished on their own, or with the help of private instruction. The piece may relate to their final project or not as they choose. Students may demonstrate their performance abilities to the class if they wish. They also have the option of lecturing on a subject of their choice to the class during one session. Research paper assignment for undergrads and grads To prepare for your final paper, both undergrads and grads are required to prepare and submit an outline proposal with an accompanying bibliography with min. 5 entries (see below for deadlines). Undergrad writing assignments are designed to help you write your final paper, and will require applying a class concept to your research topic. Undergrads are expected to include those assignments into your final paper, 2 with revisions. You may revise your assignments for a better grade, but the revision must be submitted NO LATER than one week after you received it back from me. Your proposal and outline is due 3/8, and a draft of the project is due 4/5. The final version of the paper (as well as the transcriptions and recording of musical performance in the case of graduate music students) will be due by 5 pm on the day of this class’ scheduled final. This schedule, the short assignments and the opportunity for revisions will ensure improved writing, that I have time to interact with you as you conduct your research, and is designed to fulfill the writing flag. Undergrad grades will be calculated according to the following points system: Short writing assignments 4 assignments @ 10 pts each; total 40 pts (1/28; 2/27; 3/27; 4/17 assignment sheets to be handed out in class) 3 in-class short answer+listening quiz 1 @5 pts; 2 @10 pts each 25 pts Concert or listening report 5 pts report (2-3pp); 5 pts Proposal+outline+bibliography for final paper 3/4 10 pts NOTE: PROPOSAL REQUIRED FOR GRADE ON FINAL PAPER Draft of final paper due 4/24 NO GRADE, BUT REQUIRED Final paper due during finals week 20 pts Extra credit is available for attending either the T 6-7:30 Turkish choir rehearsals in preparation for 4/17 concert, or for participating in the Th 7-10 pm instrumental rehearsals of Middle Eastern Ensemble, Bereket. Please see instructor for more information. 5 pts Grad grades will be calculated according to the following points system: 2 in-class short answer+listening quiz 2 @10 pts each 20 pts Music transcription 10 pts Preparation and demonstration of music 10 pts Proposal for final paper+annotated bibliography (due 3/6) 20 pts Final paper due during finals week 40 pts CONCERT EVENTS FOR REPORT: 1) Noruz event at Central Market 4001 N. Lamar Blvd. Date TBA, usually in March 2) Middle Eastern Ensemble, “Bereket” Th 4/17 @ 7:30 pm Bates Auditorium Butler School of Music I will announce other possible events; please also inform me if there is another appropriate musical event for this class. Laptops; electronic equipment During all class meetings, please put away all electronic devices—cell phones, iPhones, iPods, etc.—and turn your phone ringer off (including vibrate). You make take notes on your laptops, but you may not use them to distract yourself or those sitting near you. If you need to use another device for translation or disability-related purposes, please let the instructor know. Students with disabilities Any student with a documented disability who requires academic accommodations should contact Services for Students with Disabilities at 471-6259 (voice) or 1-866-329-3986 (Video Phone) as soon as possible to request an official letter outlining authorized accommodations.