Program Overview

Ethnomusicology - M.A.

Overview

The Master of Arts degree in Ethnomusicology is designed to offer students a solid foundation in regional studies of music style, performance practice, history and cultural associations in order to prepare students for continued graduate studies at the doctoral level and/or public sector careers in world music.

Admission Requirements

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university
• Minimum 3.000 undergraduate GPA on a 4.000-point scale
• Official transcript(s)
• Résumé
• Goal statement(s)
• Academic paper written in English
• Three letters of recommendation
• English language proficiency - all international students must provide proof of English language proficiency (unless they meet specific exceptions to waive) by earning one of the following:
  • Minimum 71 TOEFL iBT score
  • Minimum 6.0 IELTS score
  • Minimum 50 PTE score
  • Minimum 100 DET score

Program Requirements

• Major Requirements:
  • MUS 55314: WORLD MUSIC ENSEMBLE (taken three times for 1 credit hour each) - 3 credit hours
  • MUS 61173: WORLD MUSIC ANALYSIS - 3 credit hours
  • MUS 62411: MUSIC BIBLIOGRAPHY AND RESEARCH METHODS - 2 credit hours
  • MUS 62412: INTRODUCTION TO ETHNOMUSICOLOGY - 3 credit hours
  • MUS 62414: ISSUES AND TRENDS IN ETHNOMUSICOLOGY - 3 credit hours
• Major Electives, choose from the following: - 6 credit hours
  • MUS 52111: AFRICAN MUSIC AND CULTURES
  • MUS 52131: MUSIC OF THE UNITED STATES
  • MUS 52141: FOLK MUSIC OF EUROPE AND NORTH AMERICA
  • MUS 52151: ASIAN MUSICS
  • MUS 52161: HISTORY OF JAZZ
  • MUS 52181: POPULAR WORLD MUSIC
  • MUS 62171: MUSIC FROM WORLD CULTURES
• Seminar Elective, choose from the following: - 3 credit hours
  • MUS 52291: SEMINAR IN MUSIC HISTORY AND LITERATURE
  • MUS 62601: SEMINAR IN MUSICS OF AFRICA
  • MUS 62602: SEMINAR IN MUSICS OF THE AMERICAS
  • MUS 62603: SEMINAR IN MUSICS OF THE MIDDLE EAST
  • MUS 62604: SEMINAR IN MUSICS OF EAST ASIA
  • MUS 62606: SEMINAR IN MUSICS OF SOUTHEAST ASIA
• Non-Ethnomusicology-Focused Course - 3 credit hours
• Culminating Requirement:
  • Choose from the following: - 6 credit hours
    • MUS 68092: GRADUATE INTERNSHIP
    • MUS 68099: CAPSTONE PROJECT
    • MUS 68199: THESIS I

Graduation Requirements

• Minimum Major GPA: 3.000
• Minimum Overall GPA: 3.000
• No more than one-half of a graduate student’s coursework may be taken in 50000-level courses.
• Grades below C are not counted toward completion of requirements for the degree.

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to:

1. Recognize, identify, interpret and discuss theoretical concerns and important contributions of historical figures in the field of ethnomusicology, as well as representative music styles from different historical periods, countries and ethnic populations.
2. Demonstrate and apply fieldwork techniques including proficiency with photography, videography and audio recording, interviewing and participant-observation research.
3. Demonstrate the ability to plan and execute an efficient and productive lecture presentation in an academic setting for use at professional conferences, concert performances and classroom teaching that includes time management, clear and effective explanation, efficient use of multi-media and successful question and answer interactions.
4. Utilize and discuss theoretical issues related to ethnomusicology and related disciplines, such as socio-cultural identity, semiotics, gender studies, politics and power, ritual studies, globalization and hybridity.
5. Identify, explain and utilize performance pedagogy.
6. Analyze compositional forms, appropriate to the specific vocal or instrumental areas of study.
7. Display performance and interpretation skills in music.

Full Description

The Master of Arts degree in Ethnomusicology is designed to offer students a solid foundation in regional studies of music style, performance practice, history and cultural associations in order to prepare students for continued graduate studies at the doctoral level and/or public sector careers in world music. The program integrates theoretical perspectives relevant to the discipline with these practical aims, so that students can communicate effectively with persons within and outside the field of ethnomusicology.

While a balanced global coverage is emphasized, Kent State music faculty focus on studies in Central Africa, mainland Southeast Asia, East Asia, the Caribbean, North and South America and the Middle East, as well as popular music studies. Theoretical concerns include sociocultural identity, semiotics, gender studies, politics and power, ritual studies, globalization and hybridity, as well as studies in inter-related arts (e.g., dance and theatre).