MUSIC 3312 - Music in World Religions

(crosslisted) RELST 3312
(GB) (CA-AS) (CU-ITL)

Fall. 3 credits. Student option grading.

E. Lyon.

How does music relate to the divine? This class investigates the dynamic nexus of music, theology, and socio-cultural forces in Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam, and Christianity. Students will acquire knowledge of a variety of musical systems and will think and write critically about topics including the role of gender in public and private worship, sacred song and protest, and artistic freedom and liturgical censure. Repertoire will range from Handel’s Messiah to African American spirituals, ’cham (Tibetan ritual dance), tajwid (Qur’anic recitation), and bhajan (Hindu devotional music). Semester-long projects in a religious tradition of each student’s choice will combine traditional research methods with creative investigations tailored to individual skill sets (field work, composition, performance, analysis, …) Knowledge of Western notation not required.

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