A study of music in Aboriginal society, in both traditional tribal and contemporary contexts. The course will examine the relationship of music to spiritual beliefs, ceremonies, social structures, dance and art, in music of the Aborigines from Central Australia and Arnhem Land, and will examine issues relating to changing contexts in Aboriginal society.  In particular, the relationship between identity, music and media will be examined. Students also participate in a weekly workshop, which develops their intercultural understanding through the experience of playing and singing music from oral cultures.

By the end of the course, you should be able to:

1. understand indigenous Australian music from several theoretical perspectives
2. apply these theoretical perspectives to a number of specific music cases
3. demonstrate a familiarity with indigenous musical practice
4. demonstrate a developed awareness of the role media plays in shaping Indigenous musical identity
5. demonstrate listening skills through the study and discussion of selected music.
6. employ research, analysis, discussion and writing skills through tutorial preparation and participation, as assessed in a written essay/research project

• Two 500-word tutorial assignments (20%) [Learning Outcome 2],
• Written project (2000 words) (30%), [Learning Outcomes 1,2,4,5,6],
• Examination (30%), [Learning Outcomes 1,2,4,5,6],
• Practical workshop (20%), [Learning Outcomes 2,3, 4,6].

One one-hour lecture, one one-hour tutorial and one one-hour workshop each week.

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