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HANDBOOK 2014-15

Graduate Studies in Ethnomusicology

Memorial University of Newfoundland

School of Music

School of Music

Memorial University of Newfoundland

St. John’s, NL A1C 5S7

Graduate Program Officer: Dr. Ellen Waterman, Dean, School of Music

ellenw@mun.ca

Room 2000

School of Music

Phone: (709) 864-7486

Fax: (709) 864-2666

Note: As of January 2014, the Graduate Program Officer portfolio will be

moved to Dr. Kristina Szutor, Associate Dean, School of Music

Room 2007

School of Music

Phone: (709) 864-3560

Program Secretary: Maureen Houston

mhouston@mun.ca

Room 149, MMaP Office

Arts & Culture Centre

Phone: (709) 864-2058

Fax: (709) 864-2018

Director of Research Centre for Music Media and Place:

Dr. Beverley Diamond, bdiamond@mun.ca

Room 149, MMaP Office

Arts & Culture Centre

Phone: (709) 864-3701

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General Information ............................................................................................................................... 3

Registration ....................................................................................................................................... 3 Interdisciplinary Advisory Committee Members (IAC) ................................................................... 3

Program Faculty and their Interests................................................................................................... 3

School of Music Staff ........................................................................................................................ 3

Diary .................................................................................................................................................. 4 Facilities ............................................................................................................................................ 6 Lectures and Performances ............................................................................................................... 6 International Students ........................................................................................................................ 6 FUNDING ......................................................................................................................................... 6

Student Fellowships, Scholarships and Bursaries ............................................................................. 6 Academic Standard for Fellowships.................................................................................................. 7 Academic Requirements for Continuance in Program ...................................................................... 7 Ethnomusicology Award for Field Research .................................................................................... 7 James and Muriel Martin Award in Music ........................................................................................ 7

SSHRC Fellowships .......................................................................................................................... 8 GradSWEP ........................................................................................................................................ 8

Graduate Assistantships .................................................................................................................... 9 Conference Funding .......................................................................................................................... 9 Leaves of Absence and Extensions to programs ............................................................................... 9

MA Program in Ethnomusicology ....................................................................................................... 10

Program Overview .......................................................................................................................... 10

Course Requirements ...................................................................................................................... 10 Course Offerings – 2014-15 ............................................................................................................ 10

Required Courses ............................................................................................................................ 10 Electives .......................................................................................................................................... 11 A List of all Courses Applicable to the M.A. in Ethnomusicology ................................................ 11

Supervisor ........................................................................................................................................ 13

Ethics ............................................................................................................................................... 13 Fieldwork......................................................................................................................................... 14 Major Research Paper (Music 7002) ............................................................................................... 14

Applying to Graduate ...................................................................................................................... 16 PhD Program in Ethnomusicology ...................................................................................................... 16

Program Overview .......................................................................................................................... 16

Course Requirements ...................................................................................................................... 16

Course Offerings – 2014-15 ............................................................................................................ 17 Required Courses ............................................................................................................................ 17 Electives .......................................................................................................................................... 17 A List of all Courses Applicable to the Ph.D. in Ethnomusicology ................................................ 18 Second Language Requirement ....................................................................................................... 19

Supervisor and Supervisory Committee .......................................................................................... 20 Comprehensive Exam...................................................................................................................... 20

Comprehensive Exam Committee ................................................................................................... 20 Comprehensive Exam Results ......................................................................................................... 21 Thesis Proposal................................................................................................................................ 21 Ethics ............................................................................................................................................... 22 Fieldwork......................................................................................................................................... 22

Thesis............................................................................................................................................... 22 Applying to Graduate ...................................................................................................................... 23

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General Information

Registration

Registration for Fall 2014 begins August 5. Registration details can be found on the School of Graduate

Studies (SGS) website http://www.mun.ca/sgs/current/registration.php

All graduate students must register for Ethnomusicology 9000 (general programme registration). Students

must remain registered in their programme (and continue to pay fees) until their status indicates

“programme completed”.

All students should make an appointment to see the Graduate Program Officer (Ellen Waterman) at the

start of the year for a degree progress check. ellenw@mun.ca

Interdisciplinary Advisory Committee Members (IAC)

The Ethnomusicology Program is administered by the School of Music in consultation with the Department

of Folklore; it works in response to recommendations from an Interdisciplinary Advisory Committee with

representation from both academic units, and is chaired by the Graduate Program Co-ordinator. Present

committee members are:

Ellen Waterman, Dean of School of Music and Graduate Program Officer

Beverley Diamond, School of Music

Holly Everett, Dept. of Folklore

Kati Szego, School of Music

Cory Thorne, Dept. of Folklore

Program Faculty and their Interests

Beverley Diamond – aboriginal, gender, Sami of Norway and Finland, media

Holly Everett – belief, material culture, music and song, occupational folklife, popular culture,

tourism

Kati Szego – Hawaiian, Oceanic, phenomenology, historical ethnomusicology, voice/vocal music

Cory Thorne – popular culture, material culture, music, migration

Ellen Waterman – creative improvisation, contemporary performance, gender, technology,

acoustic ecology, sound, Canadian experimental music

School of Music Staff

Lisa McDonald, Senior Administrative Officer (lmcdonald@mun.ca)

Jackie Costello, Administrative Assistance (jcostell@mun.ca)

Maureen Houston, Secretary Ethnomusicology Programs (mhouston@mun.ca)

Mary Beth Waldram, Concert and Facilities Coordinator (mbwaldram@mun.ca)

Audrey O’Neill, Main Office, (aoneill@mun.ca)

Spencer Crewe, Digital Audio Studio Coordinator, MMaP (spencerc@mun.ca)

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Diary

Fall 2014

August 4, 2014 Registration begins for graduate students, Fall semester, 2014

September 1, 2014 Monday Labour Day. No lectures

September 3, 2014 Wednesday Lectures begin, Fall semester

Deadline for fees payment, Fall semester

September 17, 2014 Wednesday End of Regular Registration Period and last day for

graduate students to add courses, Fall semester

September 24, 2014 Final date for graduate students to withdraw from programs without

incurring liability for tuition fees, Fall semester

October 13, 2014 Monday Thanksgiving Day. No lectures. Fall semester break begins

October 15, 2014 Wednesday Lectures resume.

October 16, 2014 Lectures will follow the Tuesday schedule on this day only

October 22, 2014 Wednesday Last day for graduate students to drop courses without

academic prejudice, Fall semester

November 10, 2014 Monday Ceremony of Remembrance, St. John’s: Join the University

community to commemorate the people of the Province who fought

and died in the First and Second World Wars, and for whom this

University is a living memorial

November 11, 2014 Tuesday Remembrance Day holiday. No lectures

November 28, 2014 Friday Registration begins for graduate students, Winter 2015

December 3, 2014 Wednesday Lectures end, Fall semester

December 8, 2014 Monday Examinations begin, Fall semester

December 17, 2014 Wednesday Examinations end, Fall semester

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Winter 2015

January 5, 2015 Monday Lectures begin, Winter semester

Deadline for fees payment, Winter semester

January 12, 2015 Final date for submission of Master's and Doctoral Theses and

Reports for examination, by candidates who expect to receive their

degree at the Spring Convocation 2015. Theses and Reports received

after this date will be processed as time and resources permit

January 15, 2015 Thursday Final date for filing, with the Registrar, applications for

Degrees and Diplomas for the Spring Convocation 2015.

Applications received after this date will be processed as time and

resources permit

January 19, 2015 Monday End of Regular Registration Period and last day for graduate

students to add courses, Winter semester

January 26, 2015 Final date for graduate students to withdraw from programs without

incurring liability for tuition fees, Winter semester

February 16, 2015 Monday Winter semester break begins

February 19, 2015 Thursday Lectures resume

February 23, 2015 Monday Final date for graduate students to drop courses without

academic prejudice, Winter semester

April 2, 2015 Thursday Lectures end, Winter semester

April 8, 2015 Wednesday Examinations begin, Winter semester

April 17, 2015 Friday Examinations end, Winter semester

May 26 - 29, 2015 Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday & Friday

Annual Spring Convocation, St. John’s

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Facilities

Ethnomusicology students have individual carrels in shared office space in the MMaP offices in the Arts

and Culture Centre adjacent to the campus. The space also houses a small library, a gallery for lectures and

performances, kitchenette and an audio-video studio.

Ethnomusicology students will attend courses in various facilities across campus – the MMaP library, the

School of Music, and the G. A. Hickman (Education) building for Folklore courses.

Lectures and Performances

Each year, MMaP holds a lecture series and invites 3 – 4 guests in the field of ethnomusicology. The

schedule for 2014-15 will be posted at http://www.mun.ca/mmap/about_lecture_series/.

The School of Music holds a Music at Memorial concert series each year. From concerts to master classes,

to our annual Newfound Music Festival – we are dedicated to presenting excellence in music. Faculty

artists, local, national and international guests, and our crack student ensembles bring you dynamic

concerts of classical, jazz and world music. Details can be found on the events calendar at

http://www.mun.ca/

The Department of Folklore holds a lunchtime seminar series. Details for this can be found at

http://www.mun.ca/folklore/about/seminar.php

Other events or announcements on campus will be listed on the main MUN website: http://www.mun.ca/

International Students

All international graduate students will be required to submit their study permits to the International

Student Advising Office (ISA) as part of their mandatory visit to the ISA.

SGS will no longer place a hold on international graduate student records. They will be able to register at

the start of the registration period pre-arrival along with all other graduate students.

The ISA will continue to enter study permit information in Banner and that information will be accessible

to units needing to carry out regular business (funding, registration, etc.). SGS will continue to monitor

study permit expiration dates each semester and advise academic units of renewals as needed.

FUNDING

Student Fellowships, Scholarships and Bursaries

Financial aid from the university consists of fellowships, which vary in size from year to year. All

applicants to the program are automatically considered for these awards. Students must normally have and

maintain an overall MUN, or equivalent, average of 75% and be registered as full time in a baseline

supported master’s or doctoral program in order to receive a SGS Fellowship.

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Academic Standard for Fellowships

On admission, students must normally have an overall MUN, or equivalent, average of 75% determined by

using either the last 20 attempted courses for which grades are available, or by using all courses attempted

for which grades are available excluding those in the first year of an undergraduate program. Attempted

post baccalaureate courses for which grades are available are included in both calculations.

In-program students must normally have successfully completed at least one full semester and achieved a

mark of at least 75% in each program course attempted or an overall average of at least 80% for all

program courses attempted (minimum of two program courses), or where one course or less is required,

evidence of academic standing acceptable to the Dean of SGS.

Academic Requirements for Continuance in Program

Failure to attain a final passing grade of A or B in a program course shall lead to termination of a student's

program unless:

A. the regulations for a particular degree allow the student to repeat the course. Only one such

repeat will be permitted in a student's program. Failure to obtain a grade of A or B in the repeated

course shall lead to termination of the student's program.

B. the Dean of Graduate Studies approves a repeat of the course, upon the recommendation of the

Supervisor and the Supervisory Committee supported by the Head of the Academic Unit, where A.

above does not apply. Such recommendations must provide sufficient grounds for a repeat. Only

one such repeat will be permitted in a student's program. Failure to obtain a grade of A or B in the

repeated course shall lead to termination of the student's program.

Ethnomusicology Award for Field Research

This fund has been established by Beverley Diamond and Clifford Crawley to advance research in

ethnomusicology in Canada on the occasion of the beginning of graduate studies in the field at Memorial

University of Newfoundland. One or more awards, valued at a portion of the income on the investment,

will be awarded annually to full-time graduate ethnomusicology students in clear academic standing who

wish to pursue field research. Selection will be made on the basis of a submitted research proposal.

Application forms and guidelines are available from and should be submitted to the School of Music. The

deadline date for submissions of applications to the Program Officer is March 31. If there are no

suitable candidates in a given year the awards will not be awarded. The awards will be awarded by the

Dean, School of Graduate Studies on the recommendation of the School of Music’s Scholarships and

Awards Committee in consultation with the Interdisciplinary Advisory Committee for Ethnomusicology.

James and Muriel Martin Award in Music

The James and Muriel Martin Award was established through a generous gift to the School of Music by

Mrs. Helen MacLeod, on behalf of her parents. James and Muriel Martin, lifelong residents of St. John’s,

Newfoundland, were enthusiastic participants in the local music scene in the early half of the twentieth

century. The award, valued at a portion of the income on the investment, will be given annually to a full-

time graduate student (MA or PhD) enrolled in the ethnomusicology program, with preference to a student

whose focus is on the research, collection or preservation of music in Newfoundland and Labrador. It will

be granted by the Dean, School of Graduate Studies on the recommendation of the Director, School of

Music. (No need to apply for this award)

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For information on other scholarships available through MUN check out:

www.mun.ca/sgs/current/scholarships/#search

SSHRC Fellowships

Canadian students will be encouraged to apply for a fellowship from the Social Sciences and Humanities

Research Council (SSHRC) in October. Workshops and information sessions will be held campus wide

and within the department to aid in this process.

SSHRC Timeline

Exact dates to be finalized when semester starts

Early October SGS sponsored SSHRC meeting (usually at Bitters)

Shortly After Initial meeting with all students who are eligible to apply (www.sshrc.gc.ca).

Please come with a first draft in hand. Students will read first draft of proposals and

share suggestions with each other and faculty members in attendance. We can

discuss these with you and give you tips on good grant-writing.

You should order transcripts (including MUN transcript) at this point if you haven't

already done so.

Copies of previous proposals are available in the MMaP office (see Maureen)

Mid October Letters of reference should be requested now. Students should send draft proposals

and appraisal forms to referees (or give them the web link for the latter).

3rd

week October 2nd draft proposals due. We'll offer feedback.

Early November Final complete applications to be submitted.

Applications are made online through a common research portal and using the Common CV. The applicants

themselves are required to upload official transcripts. Note: the Common CV is very time consuming, so it’s

best to get an early start!

There is no longer any national adjudication process of CGS Masters applications. Universities receive

allocations, conduct the selection process and offer awards.

NOTE: For students who are ineligible for SSHRC funding, you are encouraged to attend these sessions

anyway because you may be applying for funding from other sources and these mentoring sessions will be

of benefit.

GradSWEP

The Graduate Student Work Experience Program (GradSWEP) is a joint project of the Department of

Career Development and Experiential Learning and the School of Graduate Studies, designed to provide

leveraged support for graduate student outreach projects that partner with community agencies. Memorial

faculty and staff collaborate with external community agency members to provide employment

opportunities to current Memorial graduate students.

Positions for GradSWEP are posted on the MUN website at the beginning of each semester. For more

information check out the GradSWEP website http://www.mun.ca/cdel/career_students/GradSWEP.php

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Graduate Assistantships

The School of Music typically has three different kinds of graduate course assistant positions

available. They are subject to the terms of the TAUMUN collective agreement and budgetary

considerations. One month before the start of each term the available positions for the coming term are

distributed to all graduate students in the School of Music and posted on our website at www.mun.ca/music

Students apply by sending their short resume and expression of interest to Dean Ellen Waterman

ellenw@mun.ca

1. Teaching assistants are responsible for guided delivery of some content (such as meeting smaller

sections, taking responsibility for all or part of a class - including lecturing or conducting), and guiding

group work); they may also be allocated marking. The course instructor will determine the precise

responsibilities. Teaching assistants are always graduate students. A student who is taking partial

responsibility for conducting an ensemble will be considered a teaching assistant.

2. Marking assistants are responsible for grading one or more course assignments. Under no

circumstances will a marking assistant be asked to grade a final examination. Marking assistants may be

graduate or undergraduate students.

3. Ensemble assistants act as section leaders in a large ensemble. They play all rehearsals and

concerts with the ensemble. Ensemble assistants are graduate students.

The School of Music also has a limited number of course instructor positions available each term that are

allocated according to need at the discretion of the Dean.

Conference Funding

Limited funding for conference travel is available to our graduate students. Students should use a

“Graduate Student Request for Travel Assistance” form (which can be obtained from the main office) to

request funding from the School of Music, the Faculty of Arts the Graduate Students’ Union, and the

School of Graduate Studies.

Travel funds may also be available through various competitions (such as the Smallwood Centre for

Newfoundland Studies and the Institute for Social and Economic Research). NEW in 2013-14 is the

ICTM Legacy Fund for Ethnomusicology students. Masters students may apply to this fund once

during their degree while PhD students may apply twice during their degree. Students must provide proof

that they have been accepted to present at a conference. Students may apply for up to $1500 for an

international conference and up to $1000 for a conference in North America. Only a limited number of

awards will be made in a given year.

After their conference travel, students must submit their receipts for expenses incurred with a “Travel

Claim A” form (which can be obtained from the School of Music office).

Leaves of Absence and Extensions to programs

The maximum period for any programme is seven years. Under exceptional circumstances the limit may be

extended; applications for review are dealt with individually by the Academic Council of Graduate Studies.

Also under exceptional circumstances, a student may apply for a leave of absence during which no fees are

assessed and the time of the leave (maximum of 12 months) is not counted in the maximum time period

permitted for the graduate programme.

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MA Program in Ethnomusicology

Program Overview

The course-based MA program in Ethnomusicology is designed to be six consecutive semesters of full-

time study in duration. During that period, the following is required:

i. completion of 8 graduate courses (24 credit hours)

ii. prepare a research proposal

iii. receive ethics clearance before fieldwork is started

iv. completion of fieldwork

v. completion of the MA Major Research Paper (or MRP - Music 7002)

In special circumstances, a student may apply to complete the degree by completing course work and a

thesis. Demonstration of competence in a language other than English may be required if warranted by the

research proposed by the student.

NOTE: it is strongly recommended that students choose a focused topic for their MRP by the winter

semester of their first year. Normally, students will conduct fieldwork for their MRP during the summer

semester of their first year.

Course Requirements

i. Music 7001, Folklore 6030*.

ii. One of Folklore 6100 or Music 6002.

iii. One area or genre studies course (3 credit hours) relevant to the research of the

student

iv. Twelve credit hours to be selected from the Music and Folklore courses listed below

(with the approval of the Interdisciplinary Advisory Committee); one elective (3

credit hours) may be a relevant course offered in another discipline (with the

approval of the Interdisciplinary Advisory Committee).

* Folklore 6030 will not be starting until the week of September 29 in order to accommodate Folklore

students attending Field School in September.

Course Offerings – 2014-15

Required Courses

Music 7001 – Research Problems and Methods in Ethnomusicology (Fall 2014) Instructor: Kati Szego

This course will include a brief history of the field of ethnomusicology and an exploration of

methodological issues. Among the latter will be audio and video recording techniques, discography and

media study, ethnographic documentation of performance, the use of music or dance performance as a

research strategy, interviewing about music, aural transcription, cross-cultural analysis, and issues of

representation.

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Folklore 6030 – Approaches to Folklore (Fall 2014) Instructor: Cory Thorne

Introduces students entering the M.A. program to the major past and present approaches to the study of

folklore; it is also thereby a history of folkloristic thought. Interrelationships with other disciplines are also

considered.

Electives

Music 6807 – Video Documentary Production (Fall 2014) Instructor: Derek Norman

This course considers how video documentaries are made and guides collaborative student teams through

the process of making one themselves. The hands-on approach will be supplemented by discussion of

various topics, including documentary styles, issues of filmic representation, ethics in cross-cultural film-

making, recording techniques and equipment, as well as the use of archival sound sources, and distribution

of the final product. Students will be expected to view documentaries online and in class and be prepared

to discuss what they see in relation to assigned readings.

Music 7010 – World Music: Music of Asia and the Oceania (co-scheduled with Music 3014)

(Fall 2014) Instructor: Kati Szego

An examination of musical theory, genres, instruments, aesthetics, and functions of music in Asia and

Oceania, including the classical music of the Indian subcontinent, ritual musics of East Asia, gong-chime

ensembles of Southeast Asia, and traditional musics of Polynesia and Australia. This course has a strong

listening component.

Folklore 6010 – Survey of Folklore (Fall 2014) Instructor: Martin Lovelace

The course introduces students entering the M.A. program to the materials that have been, and are now,

considered central to the discipline; these include, but are not limited to, folk literature: narrative, speech,

song, drama; and folklife, including belief and custom, material culture.

Folklore 6250 – Language and Play (Fall 2014) Instructor: Philip Hiscock

This course examines the forms, structures, and content of such areas as the proverb and proverbial speech,

metaphor, rhetoric, the riddle, blazon populaire, rhyme, children’s play and games, graffiti and onomastics.

Attention is focused on theories of play (e.g., Caillois, Huizinga, Piaget). Particular attention is addressed

to questions of context, function and performance and, where appropriate, to issues of meaning.

Folklore 6410 – Vernacular Architecture

This course deal with the current state of vernacular architecture research in Canada, the United States and

Great Britain, concentrating on both theoretical approaches and various research methodologies

A List of all Courses Applicable to the M.A. in Ethnomusicology

Theories and Methods: Music 6001. Research Methods

Music 6002. Graduate Seminar

Music 6807. Video Documentary Production (Credit may be received for only one of Music 6807

and Music 7803)

Music 7001. Research Problems and Methods in Ethnomusicology

Music 7002. Research Paper

Music 7803. Radio Documentary Production (Credit may be received for only one of Music 6807

and Music 7803)

Folklore 6010. Survey of Folklore Genres and Processes

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Folklore 6020. Field and Research Methods

Folklore 6030. Folklore Theories

Folklore 6040. Feminist Theories: Perspectives and Issues

Folklore 6080. Vernacular Theories

Folklore 6090. Ethnology

Folklore 7100. Advanced Folkloristics II: Research and Ethnography

Form and Performance: Music 7005. Performance Option

Folklore 6100. Song and Music

Folklore 6120. Ballad

Folklore 6130. Folk Music Canons and Documentary Sound Recordings

Folklore 6200. Folktale

Folklore 6210. Legend

Folklore 6220. Personal Experience Narrative

Folklore 6250. Language and Play

Folklore 6260. Ethnography of Communications

Folklore 6300. Ethnography of Belief

Folklore 6310. Health Systems

Folklore 6350. Custom

Folklore 6360. Traditional Drama

Folklore 6400. Material Culture

Folklore 6410. Vernacular Architecture

Folklore 6420. Art and the Artifact

Folklore 6430. Food and Culture

Folklore 6720. Folklore and Literature

Area and Genre Studies: Music 7010. World Music: Music of Asia and Oceania

Music 7011. World Music: Music of Africa and the Americas

Music 7012. Canadian Musical Traditions

Music 7013. Music and Culture

Music 7017. Folksong

Music 7018. Jazz and Blues: The Roots of Popular Music

Folklore 6120. Ballad

Folklore 6600. Folklore of Newfoundland

Folklore 6610. Folklore of Canada

Folklore 6620. Folklore of the United States

Folklore 6630. Folklore of the British Isles

Folklore 6770. The Global and the Local

Social Identities: Music 7006. Urban Ethnomusicology

Music 7007. Music in the Study of Gender, Race, and Class

Music 7009. Music and Place

Music 7802. Music and Intercultural Processes

Folklore 6510. Occupational Folklore

Folklore 6551 Indigenous Expressive Cultures in Cross-cultural Encounter

Folklore 6730. Folklore and Gender

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Folklore 6780. Ethnicities

Public and Applied Ethnomusicology and Folklore: Music 6700. Career Skills for Musicians

Music 6750. Music Industries Internship (2 credit hours)

Folklore 6740. Public Sector Folklore

Folklore 6760. Archiving

Folklore 6790. Museums: Perspectives and Practices

Folklore 6800. Applied Folklore

Interdisciplinary Perspectives: Music 7008. Media Studies

Folklore 6700. Folklore and Culture

Folklore 6710. Oral Tradition and Oral History

Folklore 6750. Popular Culture: Theory and Debate

Independent Study: Music 7026-29. Directed Reading in Ethnomusicology

Folklore 6570-79. Reading Courses in Folklore

Special Topics: Music 6800-6809. Special Topics in Music (excluding Music 6807)

Music 7800-7809. Special Topics in Music (excluding Music 7802 and Music 7803)

Folklore 6511-29. Special Topics in Folklore

Folklore 6570-79. Reading Course in Folklore

Supervisor

Each student will be assigned a supervisor normally by the end of the second semester of the program. The

supervisor will be appointed in consultation with the student, the Graduate Program Co-ordinator and the

potential supervisor. Supervisors will be approved by the IAC.

Ethics

Any research which uses materials from living subjects (including interviews and questionnaires) must

pass an ethics review. Students must obtain written approval from the university's Interdisciplinary

Committee on Ethics in Human Research (ICEHR) before their research commences.

NOTE: This process can take several weeks, so plan ahead! Forms and guidelines may be found at

http://www.mun.ca/research/researchers/ethics_committee.php

We will offer a workshop early in Winter semester to help in the preparation of ICEHR proposals. Models

of previous ethics proposals are available in the MMaP Office (check with Maureen). Consult with Ellen

Waterman for advice before starting your Ethics proposal.

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Fieldwork

The fieldwork process provides an opportunity for the student to develop professional research skills and

work on topics that have the potential to make a valuable contribution to the field of ethnomusicology and

to the broader research community.

Many students conduct fieldwork during spring/summer of their first year – and this timeline is highly

recommended so that students can complete the MA in a timely manner. Fieldwork can only commence

after Ethics approval has been received. It is also expected that some time will be spent carrying out

additional library and archival research in support of the project.

While the students are able to consult frequently with their supervisor(s) during the research period, the

work is conducted independently and consists of a process of intellectual and personal self-discovery.

Major Research Paper (Music 7002)

NOTE: You will not register for Music 7002 until the semester during which you expect to submit the

Major Research Paper for grading.

Distinctions Between the “Coursework with Major Research Paper” and the “Thesis” Stream in the

Ethnomusicology M.A. Program at Memorial University

The standard program for M.A. students in Ethnomusicology at Memorial University is the

“Coursework with Major Research Paper” stream. The major research paper is a document of 50-80 pages

in length. It should report on original research that will usually involve fieldwork. In some cases, it might

be based solely on archival and library resources. Like a thesis, a major research paper

presents a well-articulated objective (a question or an issue),

outlines the scope and methods of research,

discusses the theoretical orientation and methodology

carefully situates the work in terms of relevant literature, and

describes and interprets new data, demonstrating how the latter help fulfill the objectives or

answer the central question.

Includes select bibliography with separate entries for primary and secondary sources

A major research paper must be carefully delimited, both with regard to the scope and the issues

explored. If fieldwork is involved, that work should normally be completed within two or three months,

usually during the summer after the first year of coursework. It is acceptable for a major research paper to

be a preliminary or pilot study for a larger program of research (for example, an eventual Ph.D.

dissertation).

We regard the “Coursework with Major Research Paper” as the preferred route for the M.A.

because (1) the rigorous and clear delimitation of the research develops valuable intellectual discipline and

focus; (2) the amount of writing is appropriate, given the writing experience of most M.A. students. Those

who are accustomed to writing 25-page term papers generally need an opportunity to write a paper of this

dimension before considering a full-scale book-length project. (3) This program stream generally ensures

that students complete their degree without delay. Timely completion is often regarded as important in the

review of Ph.D. applications, grant applications,1 and in some cases, job applications.

1 SSHRC’s Master’s fellowships program treats a “thesis, major research paper, or research project” as equivalent.

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The paper will be graded by the supervisor and a reader appointed from either within or outside the School

of Music, both of whose suggestions will be considered by the Graduate Program Coordinator in

determining a final mark.

Following grading of papers and return to students, one (1) final clean copy of the paper should be

deposited with MMaP.

A thesis stream is available to students, upon successful application, in special circumstances.

Approval is only granted when special circumstances are conclusively demonstrated.

A thesis is a somewhat longer document (100-120 pages) relative to the major research paper

(MRP). Like the MRP, a thesis reports on original research that is usually based on fieldwork, and/or

archival, as well as library research. Like an MRP, a thesis

presents a well-articulated objective (a question or an issue),

outlines the scope and methods of research,

discusses the theoretical orientation,

situates the work in terms of relevant literature,

describes and interprets new data demonstrating how the latter help fulfill the objectives or

answer the central question.

A thesis must be carefully delimited but the scope will be somewhat broader than that of an MRP. It

may have several stages or components and it may deal with several sub-issues, relevant to the central

question or issue. It usually involves a somewhat longer fieldwork period and, consequently, thesis

research usually considers a bigger quantity of data. A thesis stream may be the preferable one if (1) the

research you propose will have to be conducted over a period of time greater than 3 months; (2) the data

you will consider is multi-dimensional and/or copious, thus demanding more time for analysis and more

space in the written document.

Guidelines for Applying for the Thesis Stream of the M.A. Program

The “Coursework with Major Research Paper” stream is the default program for the M.A. in

Ethnomusicology at MUN. The thesis stream is regarded as a special option allowable in special

circumstances and available upon application with the approval of the Interdisciplinary Advisory

Committee for Ethnomusicology.

Students who wish to take the thesis stream must apply to the Interdisciplinary Advisory Committee for

Ethnomusicology no later than April 15 of their first year in the M.A. program. Their application should

outline the project they hope to do (a SSHRC proposal is an acceptable outline).

explain why this project will take longer than the time usually allotted for an MRP.

provide a timeline, indicating when and where field work, other research and writing would

be done.2

include a statement of support from a faculty member who would be willing to supervise the

project. Where the student would reside outside of St. John’s for part or all of the research

and writing period, there should also be indication of the plan for maintaining regular

contact with the supervisor.

The Interdisciplinary Advisory Committee will consider applications, with attention paid to the academic

record (particularly grades in 1st-year M.A. courses), writing ability, and the strength of the application.

We assess the likelihood of the thesis delaying completion of the degree and advise the student in this

regard before a final decision is taken.

2 Students should note that no funding packages extend beyond the sixth term of M.A. study.

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Applying to Graduate

The Application for Graduation is available through Memorial Self Service upon selection of the

'Graduation' link on the Main Menu. The following application deadlines apply:

Spring Graduation / Convocation (May): January 15th

Fall Graduation / Convocation (October): July 15th

Note: Applications received after the deadline will be processed as time and resources permit.

For more information see http://www.mun.ca/regoff/graduation/apply_grad.php

PhD Program in Ethnomusicology

Program Overview

The PhD in Ethnomusicology is designed to be completed in 4 – 5 years duration; SGS provides base

funding for 4 years only. During that period, the following is required:

i) completion of 7 graduate courses (21 credit hours)

ii) second language competency

iii) comprehensive exams

iv) thesis research proposal

v) ethics proposal

vi) fieldwork

vii) PhD thesis

viii) Thesis Defense

Course Requirements

i. Music 8001; Folklore 6030*.

ii. ONE of Music 6002 or Folklore 7100.

iii. Twelve credit hours of electives selected from courses listed below or from relevant courses offered

in another discipline (with the approval of the Interdisciplinary Advisory Committee). Ph.D.

students may take up to two courses (6 credit hours) in a cognate discipline.

iv. Reading proficiency in one language other than English, relevant to the research area, demonstrated

to the satisfaction of the Interdisciplinary Advisory Committee. The choice of language must be

approved by the Interdisciplinary Advisory Committee. The language exam should normally be

completed before the comprehensive exams.

v. Further courses beyond the minimum number may be required, depending on the background and

needs of the student.

*Folklore 6030 will not be starting until the week of September 29 in order to accommodate Folklore

students attending Field School in September.

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Course Offerings – 2014-15

Required Courses

Music 8001 – Theoretical Issues in the Study of Music (Fall 2014) Instructor: Beverley Diamond

This course introduces a wide range of theoretical perspectives in both the social sciences and humanities

as they relate to the study of music in and as culture. More philosophical in tone than MU 7001, it will

explore phenomenological and hermeneutic approaches as well as deconstruction and discourse analysis,

feminism, performance theory, or semiotics. The focus will be on current issues including globalization,

theories of the body, the mediation of music, hybridity, and post-colonial power relations. Events in a

colloquium series will be integrated into the course design.

Folklore 6030 – Approaches to Folklore (Fall 2014) Instructor: Cory Thorne

Introduces students entering the M.A. program to the major past and present approaches to the study of

folklore; it is also thereby a history of folkloristic thought. Interrelationships with other disciplines are also

considered.

Electives

Music 6807 – Video Documentary Production (Fall 2014) Instructor: Derek Norman

This course considers how video documentaries are made and guides collaborative student teams through

the process of making one themselves. The hands-on approach will be supplemented by discussion of

various topics, including documentary styles, issues of filmic representation, ethics in cross-cultural film-

making, recording techniques and equipment, as well as the use of archival sound sources, and distribution

of the final product. Students will be expected to view documentaries online and in class and be prepared

to discuss what they see in relation to assigned readings.

Music 7001 – Research Problems and Methods in Ethnomusicology (Fall 2014) Instructor: Kati Szego

This course will include a brief history of the field of ethnomusicology and an exploration of

methodological issues. Among the latter will be audio and video recording techniques, discography and

media study, ethnographic documentation of performance, the use of music or dance performance as a

research strategy, interviewing about music, aural transcription, cross-cultural analysis, and issues of

representation.

Folklore 6250 – Language and Play (Fall 2014) Instructor: Philip Hiscock

Folklore 6010 – Survey of Folklore (Fall 2014) Instructor: Martin Lovelace

The course introduces students entering the M.A. program to the materials that have been, and are now,

considered central to the discipline; these include, but are not limited to, folk literature: narrative, speech,

song, drama; and folklife, including belief and custom, material culture.

Folklore 6410 – Vernacular Architecture

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A List of all Courses Applicable to the Ph.D. in Ethnomusicology

Theories and Methods: Music 6001. Research Methods

Music 6002. Graduate Seminar

Music 6807. Video Documentary Production (Credit may be received for only one of Music 6807

and Music 7803)

Music 7001. Research Problems and Methods in Ethnomusicology

Music 7803. Radio Documentary Production (Credit may be received for only one of Music 6807

and Music 7803)

Folklore 6010. Survey of Folklore Genres and Processes

Music 8001. Theoretical Issues in the Study of Music

Folklore 6020. Field and Research Methods

Folklore 6030. Folklore Theories

Folklore 6040. Feminist Theories: Perspectives and Issues

Folklore 6080. Vernacular Theories

Folklore 6090. Ethnology

Folklore 7100. Advanced Folkloristics II: Research and Ethnography

Form and Performance: Music 7005. Performance Option

Folklore 6100. Song and Music

Folklore 6120. Ballad

Folklore 6130. Folk Music Canons and Documentary Sound Recordings

Folklore 6200. Folktale

Folklore 6210. Legend

Folklore 6220. Personal Experience Narrative

Folklore 6250. Language and Play

Folklore 6260. Ethnography of Communications

Folklore 6300. Ethnography of Belief

Folklore 6310. Health Systems

Folklore 6350. Custom

Folklore 6360. Traditional Drama

Folklore 6400. Material Culture

Folklore 6410. Vernacular Architecture

Folklore 6420. Art and the Artifact

Folklore 6430. Food and Culture

Folklore 6720. Folklore and Literature

Area and Genre Studies: Folklore 6120. Ballad

Folklore 6600. Folklore of Newfoundland

Folklore 6610. Folklore of Canada

Folklore 6620. Folklore of the United States

Folklore 6630. Folklore of the British Isles

Folklore 6770. The Global and the Local

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Social Identities:

Music 7006. Urban Ethnomusicology

Music 7007. Music in the Study of Gender, Race, and Class

Music 7009. Music and Place

Music 7802. Music and Intercultural Processes

Folklore 6510. Occupational Folklore

Folklore 6551 Indigenous Expressive Cultures in Cross-cultural Encounter

Folklore 6730. Folklore and Gender

Folklore 6780. Ethnicities

Public and Applied Ethnomusicology and Folklore: Music 6750. Music Industries Internship (2 cr.hrs.)

Folklore 6740. Public Sector Folklore

Folklore 6760. Archiving

Folklore 6790. Museums: Perspectives and Practices

Folklore 6800. Applied Folklore

Interdisciplinary Perspectives: Music 7008. Media Studies

Folklore 6700. Folklore and Culture

Folklore 6710. Oral Tradition and Oral History

Folklore 6750. Popular Culture: Theory and Debate

Independent Study: Music 7026-29. Directed Reading in Ethnomusicology

Folklore 6570-79. Reading Courses in Folklore

Special Topics: Music 6800-6809. Special Topics in Music (Excluding Music 6807)

Music 7800-7809. Special Topics in Music (Excluding Music 7802 and Music 7803)

Folklore 6511-29. Special Topics in Folklore

Folklore 6570-79. Reading Course in Folklore

Second Language Requirement

Reading knowledge of a second language is required of all candidates. Reading knowledge is defined as a

minimum B grade in a second-year language course taken within the previous five years, a passing grade in

an approved second-language course for graduate students, or performance satisfactory to the department

in an arranged reading proficiency test (in which a dictionary may be used).

In order for the student to meet the language proficiency requirement, it is expected that students will pass

a reading comprehension exam before the end of their second year, which demonstrates that they have a

working knowledge of a language other than English, relevant to the research area. The choice of language

must be approved by the Interdisciplinary Advisory Committee. The successful completion of an approved

university level course in the second language may be taken as a substitute for the reading comprehension

exam. The language exam should normally be completed before the comprehensive exams.

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Supervisor and Supervisory Committee

Each student must have a supervisor normally by the end of the fourth semester of the program. The

student establishes their committee (after discussion with the Graduate Program Coordinator) and these

members will also serve on the comprehensive exam committee

o Supervisor

o Two faculty members (may be from Music, Folklore or another dept. if they have expertise

in the subject area)

The Committee must meet the approval of the Deans of the School of Music and the School of Graduate

Studies.

Comprehensive Exam

The comprehensive examination is normally written during the student’s third year of study. The

comprehensive examination consists of three areas: Major area (three sub-topics), minor area (two sub-

topics) and theoretical/interdisciplinary area (two sub-topics). A component of the comprehensive

examination will test knowledge of audio-visual material. Bibliographies and discographies for several

focussed topics will be developed by the student in consultation with his/her supervisory committee and

will be the basis of the examination questions.

The comprehensive examination will be written at two set times of the year, in late April and early

September. Students wishing to write the comprehensive examination must submit their draft

bibliographies/discographies to the graduate program officer no later than December 15 for April exams

and May 15 for September exams. The Program Officer will send the draft bibliographies/discographies to

the members of the supervisory committee for comments and will subsequently provide feedback to the

student.

After receiving this feedback, the student is required to prepare brief annotations of about 300 words for

each entry of the final bibliography/discography. These annotations will be a valuable aid to preparation for

the exam and will also serve to better inform committee members about your work. The annotated

bibliography will be circulated to the comprehensive examination committee one month before the

scheduled examination.

Students will have 2.5 hours to address each of the seven questions. The written examination will be

scheduled over a three day period. Day 1: Major Area (3 questions); Day 2: Minor Area (2 questions); Day

3: Theoretical/Interdisciplinary Area (2 questions).

The questions are designed to test the student’s knowledge of a body of literature and especially their

ability to analyse, synthesize and evaluate information in response to the questions. Students should not

create ‘prefab’ text to cut and paste into their answers during the exam.

Comprehensive Exam Committee

The Comprehensive Exam Committee will consist of 5 people – Dean of the School of Music or another

appointed SGS delegate, the student’s supervisor, supervisory committee members, plus another member.

The Committee has to be approved by the Dean of SGS. We recommend that when you approach people

to be members of your Supervisory Committee that you let them know they will also be expected to serve

on your Comprehensive Exam Committee.

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Meeting after Comprehensive Exam

The committee will normally meet with the student to provide feedback within 4 weeks of the examination.

Comprehensive Exam Results

Students will be officially notified of the exam results in writing from the Dean of the School of Graduate

Studies.

Candidates are graded “pass with distinction,” “pass,” “re-examination,” or “fail.” The grade of “pass with

distinction” requires the unanimous consent of the comprehensive examination committee.

The procedures for students who receive a grade of “re-examination” or “fail” are outlined in the university

calendar. http://www.mun.ca/regoff/calendar/sectionNo=GRAD-0024#GRAD-0778

Thesis Proposal

Students must submit a thesis proposal to the Graduate Program Officer who will present it to the

Interdisciplinary Advisory Committee (IAC) for approval no later than the fifth semester of study.

Timetable for September Comprehensive Exam

May 15 Submit draft bibliography to Graduate Program Officer ellenw@mun.ca for

distribution to exam committee

Mid-June Student will receive comments from committee via Graduate Program Officer

July Two months before exam, set dates with Graduate Program Officer and have

appropriate form and signatures (see Maureen)

August One month before exam – submit revised and annotated bibliographies to

Graduate Program Officer for distribution to exam committee.

Timetable for April Comprehensive Exam

December 15 Submit draft bibliography to Graduate Program Officer ellenw@mun.ca

for distribution to exam committee

Mid-January Student will receive comments from committee via Graduate Program Officer

February Two months before exam, set dates with Program Officer and have appropriate

form with signatures completed (see Maureen)

March One month before exam – submit revised and annotated bibliographies to

Graduate Program Officer for distribution to exam committee.

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The student’s supervisor or supervisory committee will first approve the thesis proposal before the IAC

sees it. The IAC will then judge it as ‘pass’ or ‘resubmit’. If the proposal has to be resubmitted, the

student will have two months to do so.

The objectives of the thesis proposal are several: to present and justify the selection of a thesis topic; to

demonstrate the candidate's familiarity with relevant bodies of literature; to discuss the theoretical,

methodological and ethical implications of data collection; and to outline a research schedule and

budgetary considerations.

The proposal should include a working title, the student’s name, and membership of the supervisory

committee. The thesis proposal should be no more than 5000 words in length and include the following:

statement of purpose and research scope, outline of the theoretical and methodological approach, working

plan, and preliminary bibliography and discography.

Once the proposal has been approved by the IAC, a copy of the proposal is submitted to the Dean of the

School of Music.

Students must obtain written approval from the university's Interdisciplinary Committee on Ethics in

Human Research (ICEHR) before their research commences.

Ethics

Any research which uses materials from living subjects (including interviews and questionnaires) must

pass an ethics review. Students must obtain written approval from the university's Interdisciplinary

Committee on Ethics in Human Research (ICEHR) before their research commences. NOTE: This

process can take several weeks, so plan ahead! Forms and guidelines may be found at

http://www.mun.ca/research/researchers/ethics_committee.php

We will offer a workshop early in Winter semester to help in the preparation of ICEHR proposals. Models

of previous ethics proposals are available in the MMaP Office (check with Maureen). Consult with Ellen

Waterman for advice before starting your Ethics proposal.

Fieldwork

During the third and/or fourth years of the program, students are expected to carry out an extended period

of ethnographic fieldwork. It is also expected that some part of this period will be spent carrying out

additional library and archival research in support of the project.

The fieldwork process provides an opportunity for the student to develop professional research skills and

work on topics that have the potential to make a valuable contribution to the field of Ethnomusicology and

to the broader research community.

Thesis

The thesis should be completed within one to two years following the completion of fieldwork. In order to

ensure that this goal is achieved, students should develop a timetable of work with their supervisor(s).

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More information about thesis submission and defence procedures can be obtained from the School of

Graduate Studies website. http://www.mun.ca/sgs/go/guid_policies/theses.php

The university regulations concerning the examination of the doctoral thesis and the thesis defence are in

the university calendar under the “School of Graduate Studies–General Regulations” in the section entitled

“Evaluation of Ph.D. Theses.” http://www.mun.ca/regoff/calendar/sectionNo=GRAD-0026

The Thesis Examining Board has four members.

the candidate’s supervisor (a non-voting member)

two internal examiners

one external examiner (a specialist in the discipline from outside Memorial University)

With the exception of the supervisor, no one who has been involved in the preparation of the thesis is

allowed to serve on the Thesis Examining Board. (Members of the Comprehensive Examination

Committee who have not been directly involved in the preparation of the thesis are eligible to serve on the

Thesis Examining Board.)

As the thesis nears completion, the supervisor or the supervisory committee make recommendations to the

Graduate Program Officer. The Graduate Program Officer will consider the recommendations made by the

supervisory committee, prepare a proposed list of examiners, and make preliminary inquiries concerning

the potential examiners’ willingness and ability to serve. The proposed list is then forwarded by the head to

the Dean of Graduate Studies, who approves the composition of the Thesis Examining Board and issues the

official invitations to serve.

When the supervisor approves the thesis for submission, it goes to the examiners for reading. If the

examiners approve the thesis for oral examination, a date for the public oral defence is set by the Dean of

Graduate Studies.

Starting June 1, 2014, graduate students will be able to upload the final version of their theses along with

their metadata and any supplementary files through a secure form on my.mun.ca. Instructions on thesis

submission and examination procedures have been updated accordingly:

http://www.mun.ca/sgs/go/guid_policies/theses.php.

Applying to Graduate

The Application for Graduation is available through Memorial Self Service upon selection of the

'Graduation' link on the Main Menu. The following application deadlines apply:

Spring Graduation / Convocation (May): January 15th

Fall Graduation / Convocation (October): July 15th

Note: Applications received after the deadline will be processed as time and resources permit.

For more information see http://www.mun.ca/regoff/graduation/apply_grad.php

24

Graduate Program in Ethnomusicology - MA

2 Core Courses:

Course Credit Hours Semester Completed

Music 7001

Folklore 6030

1 of Music 6002 or Folklore 6100:

Course Credit Hours Semester Completed

1 Area/Genre studies course

Course Credit Hours Semester Completed

4 Elective Courses

Course Credit Hours Semester Completed

Supervisor Appointed: _______________________________________

Research Proposal Completed: __________________________________

Ethics Proposal Completed and Approved: _________________________

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Graduate Program in Ethnomusicology - PhD

Name: ____________________________________________

Date Entered Program: _______________________________

2 Core Courses:

Course Credit Hours Semester Completed

Music 8001

Folklore 6030

1 of Music 6002 or Folklore 7100:

Course Credit Hours Semester Completed

4 Elective Courses

Course Credit Hours Semester Completed

Supervisory Committee Appointed: _______________________________________________

Second Language Requirement completed: ________________________________________

Comprehensive Bibliographies sent to Program Coordinator for Approval: ________________

Comprehensive Exam Committee Set and Exam Dates Confirmed: _______________________

Thesis Research Proposal Completed: _____________________________________________

Ethics Proposal Completed and Approved: __________________________________________