MHST 560E Area Study: The Music of Latin America
This course examines how music shapes and is shaped by culture, using the lens of music of Latin America. Applying an ethnomusicological perspective, we will explore music of Argentina, Brazil, Cuba and Mexico, as well as 21st century Latino pop music. The goal is to understand each tradition in terms of its ways of organizing musical sound, tracing its transformations, and locating it in the larger story of music of the world. Taking a closer look at Argentina, Brazil and Mexico, among others, students will gain a cross-cultural perspective. Class activities include lectures, discussions, films, guided listening, and music making in a workshop context. Assignments will include a research paper, film reflections, presentations and a fieldwork project.