MUS 3.06 Sound Relations: Indigenous Musical Perspectives
This course brings Indigenous perspectives to studies of music and sound using the overarching theme of relationality, focusing primarily on Indigenous communities in what is now known as the United States and Canada. In many Indigenous communities, reciprocal relationships between human and more-than-human entities—including land, water, deities, animals, and plants—are the foundation for culture and being in the world. Music and sound are often an important part of these relationships. Additionally, Indigenous conceptualizations of music and sound challenge western understandings of music as an object, a text, a background, a leisure activity, and something restricted to those with “natural” talent. Rather, Indigenous music and sound are frequently active agents, fundamental components of protocol, repositories for knowledge, and practices of a wide variety of people in the community. How does music enact relationships? How can music be used to violate relationships, and how can music repair them? What does it mean to be in “good relation,” and how does music play a role? Previous knowledge of music is not required.
Cross Listed Courses
NAS 30.24