Ethnomusicology

Advertisement

This programme offers training in ethnomusicology as well as in-depth understanding of selected musical traditions of Africa and Asia. Optional courses allow students to pursue additional interests as well. Candidates should normally have an upper second class degree in music or a related discipline, or significant equivalent experience. The programme is available over one calendar year full-time, or two or three calendar years part-time.
The programme may serve four purposes:

* to provide training and preparation for research degrees appropriate to the training year of the AHRC postgraduate scheme;
* to serve as a conversion year to ethnomusicology, for students with training mainly or entirely in the Western tradition, or with training in other appropriate disciplines;
* to serve as a stand alone course for students who wish to deepen their knowledge of the field, but have no expectation of direct future research or a professional career in ethnomusicology;
* to give students the basic tools to teach ethnomusicology.

The MMus programme involves taking three courses and writing a 10,000-word dissertation. In addition to these formal elements, students are expected to attend regular postgraduate and public seminars and may also participate in performance ensemble classes and other activities.

Course Detail
The four formal elements of the MMus Ethnomusicology programme are:

* The full unit core course Ethnomusicology in Practice.
A broad introduction to the major themes of ethnomusicological study. Taught as a weekly two-hour lecture/seminar with additional tutorials. Part-time students must take this in their first year.
* The Dissertation in Music.
A special study 10,000 words in length on a topic agreed with the candidate's supervisor. This will normally relate to the "major region" chosen below, but may instead deal with a theoretical or comparative topic. Part-time students normally take this in their final year.
* A "Major Region" specialisation.
Students must select one of the following six as their "major region": East Asia, Southeast Asia, South Asia, Middle East, Africa, Jewish Music and take a course or courses to the value of 1 unit from this list. Part-time students normally take this in their first year, but because not all regional courses will necessarily be available in any one year, this may also be taken in year 2 or 3 if Department approval is obtained.
* An approved "Minor" course.
This is chosen from the "Minor Courses" list below, and may consist of one full course or two half-courses, taken in any year of registration. Students may also choose courses from other departments in the Faculty of Arts and Humanities or MA Area Studies courses in the Faculty of Languages & Cultures, subject to the agreement of the course convenor. They must relate to the same geographical region chosen in the Major Region specialisation above.
* Students may also take approved courses from Kings College Department of Music - see this link for available options:
Programme Specification

Programme specification currently subject to programme amendment procedure.

Major Region Courses

Choose either one full unit course or two half unit courses from the list below.

* Musical Traditions of East Asia (Masters) - 15PMUH016 (0.5 Unit) - Term 2
* Pop and Politics in East Asia (Masters) - 15PMUH014 (0.5 Unit) - Term 1
* Aspects of Music and Religion in South East Asia - 15PMUH017 (0.5 Unit) - Term 2 - Not Running 2012/2013
* Popular and Fusion Music in South East Asia (PG) - 15PMUH018 (0.5 Unit) - Term 2
* Indian Classical Music - 15PMUC027 (1 Unit) - Full Year - Not Running 2012/2013
* Music in South Asian Culture (Masters) - 15PMUC005 (1 Unit) - Full Year
* Music and Healing - 15PMUH019 (0.5 Unit) - Term 1 - Not Running 2012/2013
* Central Asian Music - 15PMUH008 (0.5 Unit) - Term 1 - Not Running 2012/2013
* Popular Music and Politics in Israel - 15PMUH010 (0.5 Unit) - Term 1
* Klezmer Music: Roots and Revival - 15PMUH011 (0.5 Unit) - Term 2
* Music of the Near and Middle East and North Africa - 15PMUC033 (1 Unit) - Full Year
* Atlantic Africa: (P)Layers of Mediation in African Popular Music (PG) - 15PMUC009 (1 Unit) - Full Year
* Music in Selected Regions of Africa: Contexts and Structures - 15PMUC006 (1 Unit) - Full Year - Not Running 2012/2013
* Music, Place and Politics in Cuba - 15PMUH015 (0.5 Unit) - Term 1

Minor Courses

Choose either (a) one full unit course or two half unit courses from the list below, or (b) choose, but subject to the agreement of the course convenor, courses from other departments in the Faculty of Arts and Humanities or MA Area Studies courses in the Faculty of Languages & Cultures. If you choose option (b), the course(s) will normally relate to the same geographical region chosen in the Major region specialisation. "Students may also take approved courses from Kings College Department of Music" see this link for available options:
* African and Asian Cultures in Britain - 15PANH009 (0.5 Unit) - Term 2
* African and Asian Diasporas in the Modern World - 15PANH010 (0.5 Unit) - Term 1
* Analysing World Music: Transcription & Analysis in Ethnomusicology - 15PMUH004 (0.5 Unit) - Term 2
* Composition - 15PMUH013 (0.5 Unit) - Full Year
* Gender and Music (MMus) - 15PMUH009 (0.5 Unit) - Term 2 - Not Running 2012/2013
* Media Production Skills - 15PANH050 (0.5 Unit) - Term 2
* Music in Development - 15PMUC034 (1 Unit) - Full Year
* Performance - 15PMUC002 (1 Unit) - Full Year
* The Music Business (Masters) - 15PMUH003 (0.5 Unit) - Term 2

Minimum upper second class honours degree (or equivalent), usually in Music English Language Requirements IELTS band: 7 TOEFL iBT® test: 105 IMPORTANT NOTE: Since April 2014 the ETS tests (including TOEFL and TOEIC) are no longer accepted for Tier 4 visa applications to the United Kingdom. The university might still accept these tests to admit you to the university, but if you require a Tier 4 visa to enter the UK and begin your degree programme, these tests will not be sufficient to obtain your Visa. The IELTS test is most widely accepted by universities and is also accepted for Tier 4 visas to the UK- learn more.

D.G.E. Hall Scholarship
There is one D.G.E Hall Scholarship for applicants who are proposing to register full-time for taught Masters programmes at SOAS in the academic session 2012/13.

The scholarship is shared with International Student House (ISH). The minimum value of the scholarship provided by SOAS will be £12,000 but the total value will be confirmed once the level of the School's funding for 2012/13 is confirmed. In addition, ISH provides free accommodation together with a small contribution in food vouchers to be spent in the ISH restaurant.

Felix Scholarships
Up to six Felix Scholarships will be available to Indian students with first class degrees to pursue graduate studies at the School of Oriental and African Studies. The scholarship covers the cost of tuition fees at the international rate and provides around £12,316 for living expenses. One award is made each year to a non-Indian MPhil/ PhD student who demonstrates academic excellence and financial need.

SOAS Master's Scholarships - Faculty of Arts & Humanities
There are five SOAS Master's scholarships available in the Faculty of Arts & Humanities. The value of the SOAS Master's Scholarships is equivalent of a Research Council Master's Research Preparation studentship. For 2011/12, this was £14,956. Please note that the SOAS Master's scholarship does not cover the Equal Learning Qualification - ELQ fee.