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EDUCATION 469-4: MUSIC EDUCATION AS THINKING IN SOUND
Fall, 1988
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Instructor: ?
Dr. Robert Walker
Wednesdays, 4:30 - 8:20
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Location: ?
MPX 7610
PREREQUISITE
Some basic knowledge of music and performance skill.
COURSE DESCRIPTION
The main purpose of the course is to enable students to develop a more effective approach to
music education at all levels of schooling.
This is achieved through studies of musical and music educational practices from a perspective of
man thinking in sound.
COURSE CONTENT
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music as a symbol of cultural beliefs and artefacts
- music as a metaphor for culture
- music as an expression in sound
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the crucial significance of music in all human cultures
- ways in which man makes musical sound from banging tins to electronic synthesis
- music and cultural meanings
- the modern phenomenon of pop and rock
- the development of Western theories about music
- music education in various contexts and forms.
Students will be expected to deal with both theoretical and practical aspects and issues implicit in
the above listed topics. The relationship between music and culture is the main focus of the
course. This involves understanding the nature of Western theory about music, and the
differences between Western and other musical cultures. The growth of music education in the
West is compared to practices in other cultures and societies. The development of curriculum
materials to these issues will form the culmination.
Students will have ample opportunity to develop understanding of the nature of sound and how it
is generated by both acoustic and electronic sources of energy. The importance of this
distinction today is considered crucial for music educators.
The development of classroom materials based upon various forms of 'thinking in sound" is a
main component of the coursework. Students will spend a good deal of time in practical work to
this end.
ASSESSMENT
Individual project; composition; essays on selected topics; lesson and curriculum plans.
REQUIRED TEXTS
R.
Walker. Music Education
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tradition and innovation. Thomas, Springfield, U.S.A.
J.B. Davies. Psychology of Music. University of California Press.
R. Walker. Sound Projects. Oxford University Press.
Various readings will be given out in class.
