ETHM 544 Seminar in Ethnic Music: Latin America

Concentrated study of a selected ethnic music culture. In scheduling each seminar, consideration will be given to student interest and the availability of appropriate guest musicians.

The Seminar(s) in Ethnic Music are intended to provide the student with a more culture specific study than other general ethnomusicology courses. Special attention is given to the contrast between the context, use, and function of music within that culture as a means of identifying cultural insight for the use of indigenous music in worship, discipleship, and evangelism.

Textbook readings/supplemental materials and lecture presentations

No details available.

Course Requirements Checklist

After reading the Course Syllabus and Student Expectations, the student will complete the related checklist found in the Course Overview.

Discussions (4)

Discussions are collaborative learning experiences. Therefore, the student will participate in 4 Discussions. Each discussion requires the student to post a thread in response to the given topic and a reply to at least two classmates’ threads. Both threads and replies should consist of well thought out, original postings (at least 300 words per thread and at least 100 words per reply). Topics will be chosen based on the Learn section for that Module: Week.  Discussions will be graded by quality, frequency, and timeliness. 

Reflection Paper Assignments (9)

Nine Reflection Papers based on the study materials will be written in this course.  These papers should be submitted as a Word .doc file with the student’s last name as the first element in the file name.

Reflection Paper: Candomble and Umbanda Assignment

Watch the presentation Watch: Macumba, Candomble, and Umbanda: Brazilian Spirituality (as often as necessary). Write a summary of Candomble and Umbanda. Maximum 750 words.

Reflection Paper: What is Latin America Assignment

Read Clark’s article and state your opinion about how Latin American music should be defined
geographically, culturally, and demographically. Maximum length: 500 words.

Reflection Paper: Musica Jarocha and Mariachi Music Assignment

Compare Musica Jarocha and Mariachi Music. Include in your comparison organology, social and
cultural background, costume and music characteristics. Maximum 1,000 words.

Reflection Paper: Cuban Music Assignment

Summarize the elements that define Cuban music. Emphasize organology, religious syncretism,
social-political background, miscegenation and fusion. Maximum length: 1,000 words.

Reflection Paper: Puerto Rico Assignment

Summarize the musical elements of Puerto Rican music. Include the Diaspora and its effects on
Puerto Rican identity among immigrants, traditional music cultures such as Bomba and Plena,
Cuban influence and the controversy over Salsa’s origin. Maximum length: 1,000 words.

Reflection Paper: Merengue and Bachata Assignment

Using the Music Culture Analysis Form as a guide, compare and contrast these two musical cultures. Include in your comparison organology, social and cultural background and music characteristics. Maximum 1,000 words.

Reflection Paper: Brazil Assignment

Summarize and compare the elements found in two music cultures of Brazil. Emphasize organology, social-political background, miscegenation, and fusion. Use materials from the Learn section in this course. Maximum length: 1,000 words.

Reflection Paper: Music of the Altiplano Assignment

Describe and summarize the music of the Altiplano. Make sure to include performance characteristics, ira and arca scales, gender role, organology, geography, social-political background, miscegenation and fusion. Use materials from the Learn section in this course. (Maximum length: 1000 words.)

Reflection Paper: The Southern Cone Assignment

Choose one of the music cultures studied in southern cone music. Watch the videos and read the
text related to your choice, then describe and summarize the music culture, making sure to
provide a summary statement of the socio-cultural background. You can choose from Tonada,
Milonga, Milonga urbana, Tango or Candombe. Maximum 750 words.

Final Project: Topic Assignment

The student will select a final project topic based on any subject related to Latin American music and culture. In addition to selecting the topic, the student will write a short, 200-word rationale explaining the topic choice and why he or she would like to investigate it.

Final Project: Preliminary Research Assignment

The student will conduct preliminary research on the selected topic and put together an introduction to the paper and a detailed outline with all chapters, sections and sub-sections related to the topic.

Final Project Assignment

The Final Project will be a 2,000-word document on any topic related to Latin American music.  The student should try to be specific and narrow down their chosen topic to a single music culture from any of the countries studied.  The student is encouraged to choose a music culture that has not been studied throughout the seminar. If the student chooses a music culture that has been studied, they should try to use originality and investigate aspects other than the ones previously explored.  The student will need to supplement their paper with articles or books if they have access to a library.  If not, the student should use LU library databases webpage to access JSTOR, Science Direct or Proquest.