Music, Spirit, and Transformation

Department - LART
Offered - Fall
Course number - LSOC-280

This course explores the concepts of transformational power in music using musical examples from several different cultures. The desire to connect spiritually through music has been found to be virtually universal, but music can communicate that which is beyond language in both sacred and secular settings. Western culture's 21st-century influence has shown that the pervasiveness of music and emphasis on entertainment can cause us not to always recognize its power. How do we define power and music in current cultural trends? Through guided listening to recordings of music from around the world, viewing films, interviews with guest speakers and musicians, and class discussions, we will explore the forms and context of music from different places around the world and make connections between music, transformation, and spirituality. Some of the topics will include compositions by: Hovhaness, Messiaen, Takemitsu, and Ellington; mysticism, zen, and the shakuhachi; Fairuz, Rumi, and Gilbran; the Navajo concept of beauty and harmony; and others.

Credits: 3
Course Chair: Darla Hanley
Prerequisites: LENG-111
Required of: None
Electable by: All