Ethnomusicology
Overview and Contact Information
The Five College Certificate Program in Ethnomusicology allows students interested in studying music from a multidisciplinary perspective to build bridges across departmental boundaries in a rigorous and structured manner, and to receive credit for their accomplishments, even while completing a major in another field.
In reflecting interdisciplinary trends in Ethnomusicology, students are encouraged to combine the certificate with degrees in various overlapping fields, such as Africana studies, anthropology, Asian studies, Asian American studies, cultural studies, European studies, gender studies, language studies, Latin American studies, religion, sociology, as well as other courses of study in music (composition, performance, jazz studies/improvisation, and musicology).
The Certificate Program in Ethnomusicology provides a framework for navigating course offerings and engaging with ethnomusicologists throughout the Five Colleges. While “music” is the centerpiece of the certificate program, the wide range of topics that appear under the rubric of “ethnomusicology” extend far beyond “music in a cultural context” to include history, political science, economics, evolution, science and technology, physiology, media studies, and popular culture studies, among others.
See Also
Requirements for the Certificate
A minimum of seven courses:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Seven approved courses distributed as indicated in the following four categories, with no more than five courses from any one department/discipline: | ||
Area Studies or Topics courses: at least two courses | ||
Methodology: at least two courses | ||
Performance: at least one course | ||
Additional Electives negotiated in consultation with the student’s ethnomusicology advisor, including courses from related disciplines including: anthropology, sociology, history, or media studies; area studies fields such as Africana studies, Asian studies, or Middle East studies; or others related to a particular student’s ethnomusicological interests | ||
| Total Courses | 7 | |
Additional Specifications
- Introductory courses in basic musicianship do not count towards the requirements. Introductory courses in related disciplines may only be counted in certain circumstances determined by the research goals of the individual student.
- Since ethnomusicological research and related musical performance may require understanding of and competence in a foreign language, students are encouraged, but not required, to acquire proficiency in a language relevant to their focus. Students are also encouraged to include experiential learning, a study abroad or domestic exchange experience, in-depth study of a single musical tradition, or comparative studies of several musical traditions.
- A list of courses typically approved for the certificate is available on the program's website.
