Music cognition has expanded greatly as a research area in the last fifteen years, following the expansion of cognitive science as a whole. Cross-cultural research has great significance for the investigation of the "musical mind," and suggests the need for a subfield of "cognitive ethnomusicology" that has yet to take definite shape. In this seminar, we will survey the existing literature of cross-cultural and non-Western monocultural studies by music cognition researchers, as well as work by ethnomusicologists, folklorists, and others that examines cognitive processes in music. We will address problems of disciplinary histories and interdisciplinary communications that arise in the study of music cognition, and explore future possibilities for a "cognitive ethnomusicology."
This seminar welcomes an interdisciplinary mixture of those interested in the combination of cognitive studies and music outside of the Western art tradition, including students from musicology, music theory, anthropology, psychology, folkloristics, and cognitive science.
The course has no formal pre-requisites. Graduate standing is required.
The class will meet on Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9:00-10:18 AM. Classes have a duration of 78 minutes. Classes are held on the Ohio State University Campus in Sullivant Hall, Music/Dance Library, large seminar room. The course call number is: 12999-3.
No text is required for this course. Reserve readings will be placed in the Music/Dance Library. Week 1: Introduction to Cognitive Science and Ethnomusicology Week 2: The Body: Evolutionary Psychology, "The Biology of Music-Making," and Musical Universals Week 3: Motor Control: Vocal and Instrumental Perspectives Week 4: Music and Trance; Philosophy in Cognitive Science and Ethnomusicology Week 5: Music and Language Week 6: Cognitive Anthropology and Ethnomusicology Week 7: The Issue of Mental Representation in Ethnomusicology Week 8: Controversies over African Rhythm Week 9: Prototypes and Auditory Streams Week 10: Auditory Illusions; Musical Interaction as Distributed Cognition
The final course grade will be based class presentations, a book review, and one term paper. Annotations from assigned readings will be turned in and compiled into the beginnings of an annotated bibliography website devoted to the topic of cognitive ethnomusicology.
See the course syllabus for further details on grading.
Mark DeWitt
Hughes Hall, Room 101
Telephone: 292-1585 (Wk.)
E-mail: dewitt.46@osu.edu
Students are encouraged to meet to discuss any aspect of their course work. Meeting times can be arranged by telephoning Prof. DeWitt to make an appointment. If you are unable to reach the instructor by telephone, remember to leave a message giving your name and telephone number.