Approaching music as a product of individual, social, and historical reflection and creation, this course introduces a wide range of musical traditions from around the world. Music has always played an integral role in shaping human life and societies; it serves to negotiate identities, define communities, and foster cultural interactivities. To understand the diverse and dynamic ways in which music structures our lives, we shall examine musical genres of different communities in relation to their histories, aesthetics, political situations, and religious beliefs. Topics include Aboriginal Australian’s didjeridu and globalisation, Trinidadian steelpan and colonialism, Reggae and Rastafari movement, global and local dimensions of Hip Hop, Punk and independent music production, ethos in Metal and Hardcore scenes, musical practices and philosophy from India, seemingly problematic marketing of World Music, and the global trend of New Age music.
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