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Department of Music

MA Music in Development

Overview

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Angela Impey

Angela Impey

Convenor

Minimum Entry Requirements: Students with a demonstrably strong background in music performance and evidence of a serious and sustained interest in development and creative communication. An undergraduate training in ethnomusicology, music psychology or music sociology would be an advantage, although a 2.1 pass in any social science degree would be acceptable. Under exceptional circumstances, significant fieldwork experience may off-set the absence of formal academic qualifications in this area.

Start of programme: October, 2012

Mode of Attendance: Full Time or Part Time

The MA Music in Development is an innovative, new degree that is offered on a full-time or part-time basis. It explores the role of music within a broader framework of Communication for Development, building on the premise that music and associated performance activities represent rich discursive sites where local knowledge, social structures and cultural meanings are negotiated, challenged and affirmed. Drawing on theories and approaches from a range of disciplines (including Ethnomusicology, Anthropology, Media and Development Studies), it examines ways in which music – viewed as both sonic and somatic discourse - may contribute toward more culturally apposite communication processes in a range of contexts in Asia, Africa and the Middle East and their diasporas.

Students on the MA Music and Development programme will also conduct in-depth study on the musical styles and cultures of one of these regions, and may choose from a wide range of 'minor' courses in Music, Anthropology, Migration Studies or other disciplines taught at SOAS.

The programme draws on the expertise of staff in Music at SOAS and will be co-taught by Professor Mercédès Pavlicevic, Director of Research at the leading British music therapy charity, Nordoff-Robbins. It will also encourage inter-disciplinary dialogue with other relevant departments and centres within SOAS.

Structure

Programme Specification

The MA Music in Development programme involves taking three courses and writing a 10,000-word dissertation. In addition to these formal elements, students are expected to attend regular postgraduate and public seminars and may also participate in performance ensemble classes and other activities.

Course Detail
The four formal elements of the MA Music in Development programme are:

  • The full unit core course Music in Development: Taught as a weekly two-hour lecture/seminar with additional tutorials. Part-time students must take this in their first year.
  • The Dissertation in Music: A special study 10,000 words in length on a topic agreed with the candidate's supervisor. Part-time students normally take this in their final year.
  • A "Major Region" specialization:
Students must select one of the following six as their "major region": East Asia, Southeast Asia, South Asia, Middle East, Africa, Jewish Music and take a course or courses to the value of 1 unit from this list.  Part-time students normally take this in their first year, but because not all regional courses will necessarily be available in any one year, this may also be taken in year 2 or 3 if Department approval is obtained.
  • An approved "Minor" course: This is chosen from the "Minor Courses" list below, and may consist of one full course or two half-courses taken in any year of registration.  Students may also choose courses from other departments in the Faculty of Arts and Humanities or MA Area Studies courses in the Faculty of Languages & Cultures, subject to the agreement of the course convenor.
  • Students may also take approved courses from Kings College Department of Music" see this link for available options:  http://www.kcl.ac.uk/artshums/depts/music/study/pgt/mods12-13.aspx
One compulsory Core Course
One compulsory Area Course

Selected from the following

A dissertation of 10,000 words

based on practice-based research (preferably based on a consultancy for a commissioning agency)

One full-course option or two half-course options
Music
Development Studies

Courses available still to be confirmed. See Development Studies programme pages for a full list of available courses.

Centre for Media and Film Studies
Anthropology
Gender Studies
Languages

Programme Specification

Teaching & Learning

Teaching & Learning

The aim of the programme is to develop:

  1. critical understanding of music as a culturally embedded system that has wide-ranging application as a communication tool and process in a variety of development contexts;
  2. a critical understanding of relevant theories in Ethnomusicology and allied disciplines, such as Development Studies and Anthropology;
  3. a critical understanding of participatory research methodologies and applications;
  4. the development of workshop modelling and management skills aimed at linking musical performances and meanings to social action and advocacy work; and
  5. a critical knowledge of the musical practices, meanings and performance contexts from select regions of the world.

The programme is designed to prepare students for entry into a range of professional sectors, namely International Development, Social Music Therapies, Cultural Research and Policy, Sound and Audio-Visual Archiving, Media for Development, and documentation and research for the UNESCO Intangible Heritage Programme.

More information will be added soon...

Destinations

An MA in Music in Development from SOAS gives students greater intercultural awareness and a better understanding of global music which will enable them to continue in the field of research or engage in related work. Equally, they develop a portfolio of widely transferable skills which employers seek in many professional and creative capacities including interpersonal skills, communication skills, focus, team work, passion and dedication. A postgraduate degree is a valuable experience that provides students with a body of work and a diverse range of skills that they can use to market themselves with when they graduate.

For more information about Graduate Destinations from this department, please visit the Careers Service website.

How to apply

How to apply
Scholarships

For further information visit the Scholarships section

D.G.E. Hall Scholarship

Application Deadline: 2013-03-22 00:00

Felix Scholarships

Application Deadline: 2013-01-31 00:00

SOAS Master's Scholarships - Faculty of Arts & Humanities

Application Deadline: 2013-03-22 17:00

Santander Taught Master’s Scholarships

Application Deadline: 2013-03-22 17:00

A Student's Perspective

SOAS is a great place to study Ethnomusicology. It has the flavour of the world spread through the music made by the students, lecturers and guests.

Marina Di Giorgi