• To introduce students to popular musics of the world, particularly of non-Anglo American origins, focusing on various local forms, styles, repertoires and aesthetics.
• To make students aware of the dynamics of social, cultural and historical influences that give shape to the development of contemporary popular musics of the world.
• To broaden students’ knowledge and perspectives on popular musics of the world which are distinctively local or regional on the one hand but connected to global popular culture.
• To develop a comparative perspective and reflect critically on the popular musical cultures of the world including the student’s own popular culture/music.

(LO1) Demonstrate an understanding of popular musics of the world, particularly of non-Anglo American origins, their various local forms, styles and repertoires. 

(LO2) Demonstrate an awareness of the dynamics of social, cultural and historical influences that give shape to the development of contemporary popular musics of the world.

(LO3) Demonstrate knowledge and perspectives on popular musics of the world in different local, regional and global contexts.

(LO4) Demonstrate critical thinking about different popular musical forms and practices.

(LO5) Demonstrate comparative perspective and ability to reflect critically on the popular musical cultures of the world including the student’s own popular culture/music.

(LO6) Demonstrate transferable skills in critical thought, communication, presentation and writing.

(S1) To develop skills in describing and analysing popular musics of the world, particularly of non-Anglo American origins, their various local forms, styles and repertoires.

(S2) To gain analytical and critical thinking about the production and consumption of their popular musics of the world in different local, regional and global contexts.

(S3) To develop a comparative perspective and ability to reflect critically on the popular musical cultures of the world including the student’s own popular culture/music.

(S4) To develop transferable skills in critical thought, communication, presentation and writing.

The general introduction discusses the definition and perspectives on popular musics of the world, especially the non-Anglo American world. Lectures will cover various popular music genres and styles developed in Latin/South America (e.g. salsa, tango, samba and calypso), Asia (e.g. Mando-pop, Canto-pop, J-pop, visual kei, K-pop and Indo-pop), West Africa (e.g. high life, juju, Mblalax and Afrobeats), and North Africa and the Middle East (e.g. rai, arabesk and mizrakhi).

Teaching Method: Lecture
Description: Weekly 2 hr lectures introduce core information and context and provide models for interpretation and argument.
Attendance Recorded: Yes

Teaching Method: Seminar
Description: Weekly 1-hour seminars provide an opportunity for more focused, small-group discussion of key texts. Optional tutorial slots during normal office hours provide one-to-one discussion and feedback.
Attendance Recorded: Yes

Teaching Method: Tutorial
Description: Optional tutorial slots during normal office hours provide one-to-one discussion and feedback.
Attendance Recorded: No

Self-directed Learning: Self-directed learning hours should be spent reading around the subject matters (mandatory and suggested readings to be provided) preparing for the seminars (directed reading) and working toward the assessment.