Music, Politics, and Diplomacy

3 Credits · Level: Undergraduate

The 21st century Internet has democratized the circulation of ideas within and beyond the nation-state. In this context, music serves as a means of both alternative ideas and a reinforcement of the established order. International organizations, government actors, NGOs, artists, and a range of activists (from religious to social) have invested in music for their cultural, political, social, and economic ends. This seminar will focus on music as a way to reflect on globalization and international affairs in the 21st century via issues such as cultural diplomacy, soft power, conflict resolution, community building, social movements, national hegemony, propaganda, and protectionism. More broadly, this course encourages students to rethink political power, international affairs and nationalism beyond the nation-state, and the power of music as an agent of global transformation, and a tool to analyze and comprehend globalization and its complex issues. Methodologically, the course will introduce students to ethnography and performance analysis, among other non-textual approaches to investigating the politics of culture and representation online and onsite.