Music and Politics

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2016:

136 hours

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Student Support and Engagement Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Overview, Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Generic Skills sections of this entry.

It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. Students who feel their disability may impact on meeting the requirements of this subject are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and Student Equity and Disability Support: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/disability

This subject examines the complex relationship between music and politics from a number of different perspectives, through a series of case studies and key moments in history, demonstrating that music never completely transcends politics but is deeply implicated in many forms of social action and control. It examines issues including the use (and abuse) of music by political regimes, the role of music in international diplomacy, and the function of music in social action and revolution. Students will gain interdisciplinary perspectives on research into studying music and politics, and develop skills to critique the ways in which music is used (or abused) for political motives or economic interests.

By the end of this course, students should have gained the ability to:

• Analyse the relationship between music, politics and social interaction from the perspectives of ethnomusicology, sociology, and history
• Analyse and critique the affective uses of music in political processes
• Evaluate the relationship between nation-states and their arts programs
• Critically engage with literature in the field

• attendance and participation, ongoing throughout the teaching period (10%)
• 1500 word book or video review, due mid-semester (20%)
• in-class test (multiple choice and short answer), due Week 10 (30%)
• 2000 word independent research assignment, due end of semester (40%)

Prescribed readings will be available via the LMS.

This subject potentially can be taken as a breadth subject component for the following courses:

• Bachelor of Arts
• Bachelor of Biomedicine
• Bachelor of Commerce
• Bachelor of Environments
• Bachelor of Science

You should visit learn more about breadth subjects and read the breadth requirements for your degree, and should discuss your choice with your student adviser, before deciding on your subjects.

On completion of this subject, students should have developed:

• a receptive attitude to new ideas
• the capacity for independent and critical reflection
• knowledge, skills and practices required for independent critical inquiry and research-based writing and presentation