Courses
Students will normally complete seventeen courses of 30000- to 40000-level instruction, including the following:
- MUSI 33000: Proseminar in Ethnomusicology
- MUSI 33500: Introduction to World Music
- MUSI 33800: Ethnographic Methods
- MUSI 33900: Music Anthropology
- MUSI 31500: Ethnomusicology Analysis
- Three Topics and Area Studies courses (MUSI 33100–33700). A relevant course in another department may be substituted upon approval by the Director of Graduate Studies.
- One course focused on the analysis of Western art music (e.g., MUSI 31100, 31200, or 31300)
- Two Proseminars in Music History (MUSI 32500–32800)
- Six electives relevant to the student’s research interests and objectives.
- At least three of these will normally be 40000-level seminars in the Department of Music
- Dissertation Proposal Seminar (MUSI 41500) counts as a for-credit elective.
Entering with an M.A. in Music
Students entering with an M.A. in Music and pursuing Track 1 will normally complete the following twelve courses:
- MUSI 33000 (Proseminar in Ethnomusicology)
- One Area Studies course (MUSI 33100–33700)
- One course focused on the analysis of Western art music (e.g., MUSI 31100, 31200, or 31300)
- One further course in Music Analysis (MUSI 31100–31600)
- One course in Music History (MUSI 32500–32800)
- Seven electives relevant to the student’s research interests and objectives.
- At least five of these will normally be 40000-level seminars in the Department of Music.
- Dissertation Proposal Seminar (MUSI 41500) counts as a for-credit elective.
Programs of study will be worked out in consultation with the faculty mentor and/or the DGS to meet individual needs and objectives.
Colloquium
All students must enroll in six quarters of Colloquium (MUSI 41000). Students may register for Colloquium during any quarter.
Musicianship
The successful completion of two different musicianship activities that expand the student’s skills and professional horizons.
Languages
Students must pass exams demonstrating a reading knowledge of two languages. (NB: Students admitted before 2023–24 can elect into the two language option if they have not yet finished their third language.) In consultation with faculty, students will select two languages that fulfill the following functions:
- Field language (a language necessary for field research)
- Scholarly language (a language important for broader research in ethnomusicology)
See Language Examinations for further details.
Comprehensive Examinations
A five-part examination consisting of:
- Ethnomusicology Analysis: a 72–hour long exam in June, consisting of a close analysis of a musical work selected by faculty prior to administration of the examination from three options:
- An ethnomusicological example (which may involve transcription from a recording, analysis of a previous transcription, or some combination of these)
- A tonal Western example
- An atonal Western example
- Conceptual Foundations: an 8–hour long essay exam in September, covering broad issues of theoretical importance to ethnomusicology and musicology. Topic study areas are provided in Week 8 of Spring quarter.
- Cultural Areas (1 of 2): two 8–hour long essay exams in September, demonstrating knowledge of two world musical cultural areas. For each area, there will be a long essay chosen from two options, followed by two short essays, to be chosen from four options. Topic study areas are provided in Week 8 of Spring quarter.
- Cultural Areas (2 of 2)
- An Oral Repertory Exam: students will be given a list of 16 items (10 recorded, 6 printed/notated) in Week 1 of Spring quarter. In Week 1 of Autumn quarter, students meet with faculty graders for a half-hour long oral exam that draws upon four items from the list.
See the general discussion of comprehensive exams for more details.
Dissertation
Special Field Examination and Defense of the Dissertation Proposal
Students are encouraged to take advantage of the Dissertation Development Seminars that aid in the crafting of a dissertation topic, proposal, and document.
The Special Field is an oral examination in two parts. The first part tests a student’s knowledge of a specialized area which may provide a broader context for the dissertation. (The delimitation of the special field is determined through consultation with the student’s dissertation committee when a date for the examination is chosen.)
The second part is a defense of the dissertation proposal. The proposal, which must be submitted to the faculty no later than two weeks before the examination, should demonstrate the propriety and feasibility of the topic and the student’s knowledge of the existing literature about it. A complete bibliography for the topic area should be included with the proposal.
The Special Field examination should not be scheduled until all parts of the Comprehensive Examination have been successfully completed. Following a successful Special Field examination, the proposal will be filed in the student’s dossier in the Department of Music. Substantive changes to the topic must be submitted to the Director of Graduate Studies for faculty approval.
Admission to Candidacy
Following the completion of all the above requirements, the student will be recommended by the Department of Music to the Dean of Students for admission to candidacy for the Ph.D. degree. At least nine months (three quarters) must normally elapse between admission to candidacy and the dissertation defense.
Dissertation
A piece of original scholarship that makes a contribution to knowledge. The dissertation must be approved by at least three faculty members who can verify that it meets the necessary requirements. Ethnomusicology committees are likely to include at least one member from another Department. A copy of the dissertation manuscript and an abstract must be submitted to the committee members no later than four weeks before the defense. The dissertation normally should be completed within three years after the Special Field Examination. However, the student may petition to the Department for yearly extensions.
Defense
A final oral examination in defense of the Dissertation. At least nine months (three quarters) must normally elapse between admission to candidacy and the final examination. All other requirements must be completed before the defense is scheduled.
N.B. Students may not apply for the Ph.D. degree until all degree requirements have been met.
Satisfactory Progress Requirements
The following specific requirements for the program in ethnomusicology should be read in the context of the general requirements for satisfactory progress. The following requirements are a lower limit; students are encouraged to exceed these requirements at whatever rate suits them.
During year 1 students should complete at least eight courses, one language, and at least one musicianship activity.
By the end of year 2 students should have completed all course requirements (with the exception of the Dissertation Proposal Seminar, typically taken in year 3); two languages; and two musicianship activities.
By the end of year 3 students should have completed all languages and musicianship activities, passed all five Comprehensive Examinations, drafted a dissertation proposal, and passed the Special Field examination.
Years 4 and 5 should be devoted to fieldwork and dissertation writing.
M.A. Degree en Route in Ethnomusicology
Students may apply to receive the Master of Arts upon completion of the following requirements:
- 12 courses in the Department of Music, excluding the free electives
- 1 language exam
- 1 musicianship activity
- Two seminar papers demonstrating scholarly competence. These papers are to be submitted for faculty approval by the beginning of the quarter in which the degree is to be received.
Students who enter with a Master’s in music may only receive the Masters en route if they are pursuing Track 2.