University of California, Los Angeles Herb Alpert School of Music 68 courses
The undergraduate major in Ethnomusicology emphasizes general world music, performance/composition, public ethnomusicology, and scholarly research. The major provides students with a wide-ranging liberal arts education in music. At its core, this includes (1) comprehensive knowledge of music cultures of the world; (2) understanding of the interrelationship of music, society, and culture; (3) grounding in the basics of global music theory and musicianship; and (4) the experience of playing in one or several musical ensembles from various traditions around the world. Beyond the core and emphasis requirements, students may, through elective courses, prepare for a variety of career goals, including the study of ethnomusicology in graduate school, composing and performing music, working in the music industry, serving society in the nonprofit sector, or becoming a K through 12 music teacher. The Ethnomusicology major is a designated capstone major. The capstone project is individualized to each student and requires a creative process either through music performance/composition, a research project, or an internship with a self-reflective journal detailing the process. Through that process, students are expected to demonstrate a broad knowledge base and competency in performance, writing, and/or composition and ability to apply knowledge and experience to the specific requirements of the capstone; conceive and successfully complete a project that is expressive of their specific interests and acquired expertise; and display, through written documentation or live presentation, the requisite communication and, in some cases, teamwork required by work in this field.
Preparation for the Major: Musicianship
Complete the following course with a grade of Cβ or better:
| Code | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ETHNMUS M6A | Introduction to Global Musicianship | 2 |
Preparation for the Major: Music Theory and Musicianship
Complete the following two courses with grades of C or better:
| Code | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ETHNMUS 10A | Music Theory and Musicianship I | 5 |
| ETHNMUS 10B | Music Theory and Musicianship II | 5 |
Preparation for the Major: Musical Cultures of the World
Complete the following courses with grades of C or better:
Preparation for the Major: Basic Principles of Ethnomusicology
Complete the following course with a grade of C or better:
| Code | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ETHNMUS 83 | Basic Principles of Ethnomusicology | 4 |
Preparation for the Major: Ensembles: World Music Performance Organizations, Private Instruction in Music, and World Music Specializations
Select 12 units from the following:
Preparation for the Major: Ensembles: World Music Performance Organizations, Private Instruction in Music, and World Music Specializations: Private Instruction in Music
| Code | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ETHNMUS 92 | Private Instruction in Music | 2 |
The Major: Ethnomusicology 175 or 181
Select one course from:
| Code | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ETHNMUS 175 | Sociology of Music | 4 |
| ETHNMUS 181 | Anthropology of Music | 4 |
The Major: Ethnomusicology 183 and 185
Complete the following two courses:
| Code | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ETHNMUS 183 | Study of Ethnomusicology | 4 |
| ETHNMUS 185 | Information Literacy and Research Skills | 2 |
The Major: Performance Ensembles
Select 12 units from:
The Major: Performance Ensembles: Advanced Private Instruction in Music
| Code | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ETHNMUS 162 | Advanced Private Instruction in Music | 2 |
The Major: Electives
Select a minimum of seven, 4- or 5-unit upper-division ethnomusicology courses from the following:
The Major: Capstone
The capstone project provides seniors with an opportunity to demonstrate the knowledge and abilities acquired during their undergraduate studies. Students must complete one of the following four capstone options. Students must submit a capstone proposal with supporting materials to their faculty mentor and then to the school Office of Student Affairs for approval. For details on the submission process, contact the Office of Student Affairs.
The Major: Capstone: Performance/Composition Capstone
Students must complete two quarters of Ethnomusicology 186. Additionally, students in performance or composition must submit 5 to 10 pages of writing describing their work. Performance students must offer a public performance that is 25 to 45 minutes long. This may be a solo performance, a significant role in a chamber group, or a significant (lead) role in a departmental ensemble concert. The program must be approved in advance by the faculty mentor. In the case of a departmental ensemble performance, the student must obtain the written permission of the ensemble director indicating support for the project. Composition students must submit a composition or compositions to their faculty mentor. The composition(s) should be 20 to 25 minutes in length and be performed. Playing digital music (MIDI) recordings of compositions is acceptable, but at least one composition must be performed by musicians live. The performance of the composition must take place during the spring quarter.
| Code | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ETHNMUS 186 | Senior Recital or Project | 2 |
The Major: Capstone: Public Ethnomusicology Capstone
Students must complete an internship of one quarter in length, of at least 10 hours per week, during which they enroll in Ethnomusicology 195B. Students must then complete Ethnomusicology 199, in which they produce a paper of 12 to 15 pages in length detailing their experience.
| Code | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ETHNMUS 195B | Community or Corporate Internships in Public Ethnomusicology | 2 to 4 |
| ETHNMUS 199 | Directed Research or Senior Project in Ethnomusicology | 2 to 4 |
The Major: Capstone: Scholarly Research Capstone
Students must complete two quarters of Ethnomusicology 199, in which they produce a research paper of high quality, 30 to 40 pages in length, based on fieldwork, archival work, or primary texts. Final approval of the completed paper is given by the faculty mentor.
| Code | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ETHNMUS 199 | Directed Research or Senior Project in Ethnomusicology | 2 to 4 |
The Major: Capstone: Independent Capstone
In consultation with a faculty adviser, students may propose capstone projects in other emphasis concepts such as technologies, film scoring, interactive arts, dance, etc. Students must complete two quarters of Ethnomusicology 199 (2 units minimum). Students pursuing an independent capstone must submit 5 to 10 pages of writing describing their work.
| Code | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ETHNMUS 199 | Directed Research or Senior Project in Ethnomusicology | 2 to 4 |
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