Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Fall 2025 - CA 341 E100

Music and Culture (3)

Class Number: 6245

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Sep 3 – Dec 2, 2025: Wed, 5:30–8:20 p.m.
    Vancouver

  • Prerequisites:

    45 units.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

The relationship of music and culture, with emphasis on traditional and contemporary music in Asia, Africa, the Middle East, Latin America and the Caribbean, and Indigenous cultures of North America. Specific cultural areas may be selected for intensive study in any particular term. May be of particular interest to students in other departments.

COURSE DETAILS:

This course will explore music and culture through an investigation of ethnomusicology, and the economic, historical, cultural and racial conditions that engendered its genesis and subsequent development. Beginning with a classical cultural approach, we will explore musical elements, characteristics, and its performance practices. Throughout the semester, you will be challenged with various aspect of music cultures that you may not be familiar with. Skills honed will include attentive listening, reading, playing, and analysing course contents with an academic paper(s) submission. Analyses may require comparing, contrasting, and engaging with other music cultures and of those that you already know.

Grading

  • Attendance and Class Participation 10%
  • Reading Responses 20%
  • Midterm Paper 20%
  • Final Tests 30%
  • Field Works Reports 20%

Materials

REQUIRED READING NOTES:

Your personalized Course Material list, including digital and physical textbooks, are available through the SFU Bookstore website by simply entering your Computing ID at: shop.sfu.ca/course-materials/my-personalized-course-materials.

Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

At SFU, you are expected to act honestly and responsibly in all your academic work. Cheating, plagiarism, or any other form of academic dishonesty harms your own learning, undermines the efforts of your classmates who pursue their studies honestly, and goes against the core values of the university.

To learn more about the academic disciplinary process and relevant academic supports, visit: 


RELIGIOUS ACCOMMODATION

Students with a faith background who may need accommodations during the term are encouraged to assess their needs as soon as possible and review the Multifaith religious accommodations website. The page outlines ways they begin working toward an accommodation and ensure solutions can be reached in a timely fashion.