This unit entry is for students who completed this unit in 2016 only. For students planning to study the unit, please refer to the unit indexes in the the current edition of the Handbook. If you have any queries contact the managing faculty for your course or area of study.

ATS3818 - Drumming traditions of West Africa

6 points, SCA Band 1, 0.125 EFTSL

Undergraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Arts

Organisational Unit

Sir Zelman Cowen School of Music

Coordinator(s)

Dr Adrian McNeil

Offered

Not offered in 2016

Synopsis

Through both the study of the music and musical thought of drumming traditions of West Africa and especially Ghana, this unit explores the complex rhythmic practices of the traditional drumming ensembles in the region. Theoretical and practice based knowledge about these traditions is taught through the critical analysis of ethnomusicological literature of these traditions and through practice based instruction.

Outcomes

Upon completion of this unit, students will be able to:

Comprehend and articulate the connection between culture and musical practice in West African drumming traditions.
Develop and enhance individual practical skills in rhythm.
Develop an appreciation and critical understanding of complex rhythmic interaction in ensemble playing transferrable to a range of musical contexts.

Assessment

Within semester assessment: 100%

Workload requirements

Minimum total expected workload to achieve the learning outcomes for this unit is 144 hours per semester typically comprising a mixture of scheduled learning activities and independent study. A unit requires on average three/four hours of scheduled activities per week. Scheduled activities may include a combination of teacher directed learning, peer directed learning and online engagement.