160010 SE Musicologies around the world (2018S)

What kind of musicologist would you like to be, and what options and formats does the field historically (and currently) have to offer at all? Of course, there is a multitude of possible individual answers to this question, both inside and outside musicology as an academic discipline. In order to support coming to terms with such a complex, yet sometimes underestimated matter, this course offers to widen the perspective on musicological education and research and, in consequence, the foundations of knowledge as cultivated in the field.

On the basis of selected case studies from differing linguistic areas throughout the world, we will try to reflect on the premises of what we are doing and thereby gain a transnational angle. In the course of the semester, we will investigate a range of perspectives on what musicology can (or should) be by focusing on five questions that are inextricably linked:

(1) Scholarly voices: “What is musicology?”
(2) Institutional premises of doing musicology: “Where is musicology?”
(3) Educating the field: “How is musicology taught?”
(4) Defining contents: “What canons are being cultivated?”
(5) Inclusion vs. exclusion: “What is the role and impact of professional associations?”

The course aims at a perspective without strict limitations to musicology as an academic discipline in the German-speaking world, all the while taking into consideration that musicology is, by and large, still organized according to linguistic areas (if not nation) in the 21st century.

Participation requires English language proficiency. In-class discussion will be held in English, while written work will be accepted either in German or in English.

Please note that online registration is not possible. Instead, please send an e-mail containing a 1-page statement of purpose (motivation letter) in German or English explaining (1.) your interest in participating in the course and (2.) which languages you are able to read (and on which level) to: scott.edwards@univie.ac.at and carolin.krahn@univie.ac.at by February 25, 2018. You will be notified regarding your participation in the course by February 26, 2018.