The information on this site is an archived previous calendar for the 2023-2024 academic year.

The current University Calendar is available at https://www.mun.ca/university-calendar/ 

44.15 Ethnomusicology

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The Doctor of Philosophy program in Ethnomusicology is administered by the School of Music in consultation with the Department of Folklore, and generally in response to recommendations from an Interdisciplinary Advisory Committee with representation from both academic units, chaired by the Program Co-ordinator.

The Degree of Ph.D. in Ethnomusicology is offered by part-time and full-time study. This program is a research Degree, generally involving extended fieldwork. The resources of the Memorial University of Newfoundland Folklore and Language Archive are available to graduate students in Ethnomusicology.


44.15.1 Qualifications for Admission

Applicants may be admitted to the program if they have at least a B+ average in a M.A. Degree in Ethnomusicology, another field of Music, or other relevant discipline in the Humanities or Social Sciences with evidence of specialization in music. Applicants from a discipline other than Music will be expected to demonstrate the following skills:

  • Competent performance in any musical tradition, as judged by a musician knowledgeable about that tradition.

  • Knowledge of culturally appropriate language for discussion of performance techniques in that tradition.

  • Ability to discuss musical details on the basis of aural and/or written sources, as appropriate to that tradition.

Students for admission may, at the discretion of the Interdisciplinary Advisory Committee, be required to write diagnostic examinations measuring skills and knowledge in music literacy, theory, or aural perception. Students with deficiencies in any of these areas may be required to take remedial course work prior or in addition to the required program.

Upon completion of M.A. course work, students who have attained an A average may wish to be considered for transfer to the Ph.D. program. Students who seek this option must apply to the Interdisciplinary Advisory Committee to be considered for transfer one month prior to the completion of their M.A. courses or by the end of the 5th semester (see General Regulation Qualifications for Admission, Master's Program).


44.15.2 Program of Study

The Ph.D. program may be completed within twelve to fifteen consecutive semesters of full-time study, depending on fieldwork requirements. The Degree is normally taken by completing course work, comprehensive examinations, a language proficiency requirement, and a Ph.D. thesis, defended in accordance with General Regulation Theses and Reports of the School of Graduate Studies.

  1. Students must complete a minimum of 21 credit hours of course work. If required courses have been completed at the M.A. level, electives may be substituted (with approval of the Interdisciplinary Advisory Committee). The required courses are:

    1. Music 8001; Folklore 6030 or Folklore 6070 or other social theory course by approval of the Interdisciplinary Advisory Committee; and Folklore 7100.

    2. Twelve credit hours of electives selected from courses listed below or from relevant courses offered in another discipline (with the approval of the Interdisciplinary Advisory Committee). Ph.D. students may take up to two courses (6 credit hours) in a cognate discipline.

    3. Reading proficiency in one language other than English, relevant to the research area, demonstrated to the satisfaction of the Interdisciplinary Advisory Committee. The choice of language must be approved by the Interdisciplinary Advisory Committee. The language exam should normally be completed before the comprehensive exams.

    4. Further courses beyond the minimum number may be required, depending on the background and needs of the student.

  2. Comprehensive examinations will be administered in a major area, minor area, and theoretical/interdisciplinary area; a component of the comprehensive examination will test audio-visual skills. Bibliographies and discographies for several focussed topics will be developed by the student in consultation with the student's supervisory committee and will be the basis of examination questions. The written portion of the examination will be scheduled over a one-week period. The Comprehensive Examination Committee will normally schedule a consultation with the student to discuss the written essays within one month following the completion of the written examination. For further information see General Regulation Comprehensive Examinations, Ph.D. Comprehensive Examination.

  3. Students must complete a thesis, examined and defended in accordance with General Regulation Theses and Reports of the School of Graduate Studies. A thesis proposal, including a working title, statement of purpose and research scope, outline of theoretical and methodological approach, working plan, and preliminary bibliography, together with proposed membership of the supervisory committee, must be submitted to the Interdisciplinary Advisory Committee no later than the fifth semester of study. The thesis shall demonstrate the student's ability to carry out original and independent research, develop the necessary theoretical and methodological framework, and present the findings in a scholarly manner.


44.15.3 Courses

Theories and Methods:

  • Music 6807 Video Documentary Production (credit may be received for only one of Music 6807, Music 7003 or Music 7803)
  • Music 7001 Research Problems and Methods in Ethnomusicology
  • Music 7003 The Politics of Ethnographic Video Methods in Ethnomusicology
  • Music 7803 Radio Documentary Production (credit may be received for only one of Music 6807, Music 7003 or Music 7803)
  • Music 8001 Theoretical Issues in the Study of Music
  • Folklore 6010 Survey of Folklore Genres and Processes
  • Folklore 6020 Field and Research Methods
  • Folklore 6030 Folklore Theories
  • Folklore 6040 Feminist Theories: Perspectives and Issues
  • Folklore 6080 Vernacular Theories
  • Folklore 6090 Ethnology
  • Folklore 7100 Advanced Folkloristics II: Research and Ethnography

Form and Performance:

  • Music 7005 Performance Option
  • Folklore 6100 Song and Music
  • Folklore 6120 Ballad
  • Folklore 6130 Folk Music Canons and Documentary Sound Recordings
  • Folklore 6200 Folktale
  • Folklore 6210 Legend
  • Folklore 6220 Personal Experience Narrative
  • Folklore 6250 Language and Play
  • Folklore 6260 Ethnography of Communications
  • Folklore 6300 Ethnography of Belief
  • Folklore 6310 Health Systems
  • Folklore 6350 Custom
  • Folklore 6360 Traditional Drama
  • Folklore 6400 Material Culture
  • Folklore 6410 Vernacular Architecture
  • Folklore 6420 Art and the Artifact
  • Folklore 6430 Food and Culture
  • Folklore 6720 Folklore and Literature

Area and Genre Studies:

  • Folklore 6120 Ballad
  • Folklore 6600 Folklore of Newfoundland
  • Folklore 6610 Folklore of Canada
  • Folklore 6620 Folklore of the United States
  • Folklore 6630 Folklore of the British Isles
  • Folklore 6770 The Global and the Local

Social Identities:

  • Music 7006 Urban Ethnomusicology
  • Music 7007 Music in the Study of Gender, Race and Class
  • Music 7009 Music and Place
  • Music 7001 Research Problems and Methods in Ethnomusicology
  • Music 7802 Music and Intercultural Processes
  • Folklore 6510 Occupational Folklore
  • Folklore 6551 Indigenous Expressive Cultures in Cross-cultural Encounter
  • Folklore 6730 Folklore and Gender
  • Folklore 6780 Ethnicities

Independent Study:

  • Music 7026-29 Directed Reading in Ethnomusicology
  • Folklore 6570-79 Reading Course in Folklore

Special Topics:

  • Music 6800-09 Special Topics in Music (excluding Music 6807)
  • Music 7800-09 Special Topics in Music (excluding Music 7802 and 7803)
  • Folklore 6511-29 Special Topics in Folklore
  • Folklore 6570-79 Reading Course in Folklore

Public and Applied Ethnomusicology and Folklore:

  • Music 6750 Music Industries Internship (2 credit hours)
  • Music 6900 Public and Applied Ethnomusicology
  • Folklore 6740 Public Sector Folklore
  • Folklore 6760 Archiving
  • Folklore 6790 Museums: Perspectives and Practices
  • Folklore 6800 Applied Folklore

Interdisciplinary Perspectives:

  • Music 7008 Media Studies
  • Folklore 6700 Folklore and Culture
  • Folklore 6710 Oral Tradition and Oral History
  • Folklore 6750 Popular Culture: Theory and Debate

The information on this site is an archived previous calendar for the 2023-2024 academic year.

The current University Calendar is available at https://www.mun.ca/university-calendar/ 

Copyright © 2023 Memorial University of Newfoundland.
Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada.
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