B8705 - Musical Traditions in Asia (1) (LM) (1) (LM)

Learning outcomes

After completing the course, students will have a comprehensive understanding of the themes, issues, and methods related to the study of musical practices and traditions in Asia, with particular focus on those of Mainland and Insular Southeast Asia. Through the study of specific musical cultures, the course enables students to gain in-depth knowledge of the main research topics in Asian musicologies from an anthropological- cultural perspective, providing them with the analytical tools necessary to relate what they have learned to disciplines in the cultural history and theatre studies fields.

Course contents

The course focuses mainly on music and performative arts of Southeast Asia, and in particular on the relation between musics, dances, theatre, ritual, and spirit possession in central Burma (Myanmar).

Readings/Bibliography

1) L. CHIAROFONTE "Nat hsaing. Etnografia e analisi musicale di un rituale per gli spiriti in Birmania" (Roma, Neoclassica) & attached audio/video tracks.

2) 1 chapter of your choice in G. GIURIATI (ed.), "Patterns of change in the traditional music of Southeast Asia", 2022, Nota, Udine & audio/video tracks from the companion website.

3) Submission of a short written essay on a topic of the student’s choice, agreed with the lecturer during the course. The essay will form the basis of discussion in the oral examination.

4) Students will be asked to discuss about the following audio-video listenings, available through the YouTube channel of the Intercultural Institute of Comparative Music Studies:

Southeast Asia https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qS_TzE8A4VA&list=PLfxAcbSlhgNYqj9TgC9o-b8s2X7uJzqTC

Please note: Listening and viewing of the audio-video materials must be considered integral part of the program.

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Students with SLD or temporary or permanent disabilities. It is suggested that they get in touch as soon as possible with the relevant University office (https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/en ) and with the lecturer in order to seek together the most effective strategies for following the lessons and/or preparing for the examination.

Teaching methods

Oral teaching supported by audio and video materials. The course will consist of several seminar activities, including discussions and presentations by and with the students.

Assessment methods

The syllabus is the same for both attending and non-attending students.

The exam will consist of an oral interview, during which the student will discuss the written essay, the study literature and the audio-video materials. Students must demonstrate good knowledge of the literature, critical analysis skills and language skills.

A solid knowledge, a rich discursive articulation, an appropriate language, and the ability to make connections between the contents of the books will be evaluated with marks of excellence.

A complete and adequate knowledge, well articulated and correctly expressed will be evaluated as excellent. Knowledge more than satisfactory and expressed in a correct language will be evaluated as good. An essential knowledge, not always appropriate expression and articulation of confused speech, will be considered sufficient. General but superficial knowledge, inappropriate expressions and significant gaps in speech articulation will be evaluated as barely adequate/scarce.

The exam will be evaluated insufficient when the student does not demonstrate adequate command of the "knowledge and skills to be achieved" indicated as teaching objectives; and when the student uses inappropriate language, lacks orientation in the discipline.

For information on exam dates and registration for exams, please refer to the Almaesami program at the following URL:

http://www.unibo.it/Portale/Guida/AlmaEsami.htm.

Students with specific needs are invited to contact the lecturer to define how to verify the learning appropriate to their needs.

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Students with SLD or temporary or permanent disabilities. It is necessary to contact the relevant University office (https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/en ) with ample time in advance: the office will propose some adjustments, which must in any case be submitted 15 days in advance to the lecturer, who will assess the appropriateness of these in relation to the teaching objectives.

Teaching tools

During the lectures, audio and film recordings complementary to the readings will be provided.

Office hours

See the website of Lorenzo Chiarofonte