ANTH3777: Evolution of Music

• ANTH2061 Evolution, Variation and Adaptation OR ANTH2071 Our Place in Nature

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• To introduce key ideas and debates in the field of cultural evolution using music as a case study
• To explore broader controversies in anthropology surrounding the application of evolutionary models to culture
• To provide students the opportunity to develop greater confidence in evaluating quantitative research findings

• The module will examine the ways in which cultural evolutionary methodologies, such as transmission chain experiments and cultural phylogenetics, may be able to shed light on the origins and diversity of music
• We will apply concepts from cultural evolution to explore how new musical ideas originate, how music is transmitted from one generation to the next and how music diversifies over longer timescales
• We will discuss a diverse range of musical case studies with a focus on traditional folk music

Subject-specific Knowledge:

• Demonstrate advanced levels of current knowledge and understanding of cultural evolution
• Understand methodologies distinct to the field of cultural evolution
• Understand the ways in which cultural evolutionary methods are being applied to music
• Understand wider controversies in anthropology concerning the applicability of evolutionary models to culture

Subject-specific Skills:

• Hands-on experience with methods specific to the field of cultural evolution
• Ability to interpret and critically evaluate research findings in the field of cultural evolution

Key Skills:

• Understanding and critical analysis of quantitative research methods
• Critical analysis of literature, ability to form evidence-based arguments
• Interpretation and critical evaluation of quantitative research findings
• Ability to find, evaluate and synthesise research literature

• Lectures will provide students with an outline of key knowledge and debates in the topic area, discuss the literature that students should explore, and provide relevant examples and case studies.
• Seminars will build upon topics introduced in lectures and required readings to analyse concepts and methods in greater depth and to prepare students for the summative assignment.
• Student preparation and reading time will allow engagement with specific references in advance of seminars, along with and readings related to the assessment
• Summative assessment will consist of a 2,500-word written assignment in which students will critically evaluate the application of key cultural evolutionary concepts and methodologies to the study of music.

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