This module will critically examine how ‘world music’ is shaped by cultural, economic and political globalisation, with respect to its creation, distribution and consumption. It will look at the local specificities of the world music repertoire, music styles and aesthetics, their social significance in historical contexts and their positions in domestic and global music markets. Various musical genres and forms (including traditional, folk, classical, pop, ‘fusion’, etc.) from Asia, South/Latin America, Africa and the Middle East will be included in the lectures. It will also look at composers, performers, producers, promoters, audiences and consumers, as well as events and venues of world music to understand the creative processes of world music.

(LO1) Demonstrate a critical understanding of world music and globalisation from both academic and industry points of view.

(LO2) Demonstrate their awareness of a wide range of practical uses and artistic adaptations of world music in various contexts including commercial and education sectors.

(LO3) Demonstrate their understanding of the local specificities of the world music repertoire, music styles and aesthetics, their social significance in historical contexts and their positions in domestic and global music markets.

(LO4) Demonstrate their knowledge about various musical genres and forms of world music (including traditional, folk, classical, pop, ‘fusion’, etc).

(LO5) Demonstrate their understanding of the creative processes of world music.

(LO6) Demonstrate a comparative perspective and ability to reflect critically on world music and globalisation.

(S1) Transferable skills in critical thought, communication, presentation and writing.

(S2) A comparative perspective and ability to reflect on cross cultural dynamics.

(S3) Understanding of music’s applicability in different contexts, purposes and functions.

This module will be organised into two parts.

Part One, in 3 sessions, will focus on theory and method for studying world music and globalisation. It will begin with scrutinising concepts of ‘world music’ and globalisation by reviewing various scholarly theories and industry interpretations of world music in the context of globalisation. This will be followed by an introduction of musical and technical terms as well as research methods for studying world music which are developed in various fields of music studies including ethnomusicology, anthropology, sociology, cultural studies and geography, etc. The third session of Part One will discuss various applications and adaptation of world music in different contexts, including commercial uses, educational applications and cross-genre/cross cultural fusions, etc.

Part Two covers various specific examples of world music across the globe, including East Asia, South Asia, South America, Africa and Middle Ea st.

Teaching Method 1 - Lecture Description: Lectures introduce core concepts and material Teaching Method 2 - Seminar Description: Seminars facilitate further discussion of material raised in lectures by way of group discussion