This course aims to introduce the study of a wide range of Africa's music cultures in ways that facilitate an interpretation of the meanings of specific musics and music-related performances (dance, theatre, religious and other ritual, commercial, social, political contexts). No previous specialised music knowledge is necessary. The course surveys musics in all major African regions, including North Africa. Case studies by various researchers are studied that involve ways of making sense of music by considering meaning construction, basic music analysis, history, relations between text and music, reception theory, and other relevant theoretical and methodological approaches. The course involves viewing and responding to videos and sound recordings, experiencing live performance, investigating the construction and acoustic properties of musical instruments, and a final assignment involving a creative component as well as writing.

DP requirements: At least 80% attendance at lectures and the completion of all assignments, projects and tests.

Assessment: Tests and assignments 60%; final examination 40%.

The University of Cape Town awards credits based on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) to determine course and contact hour recommendations per course. 1 NQF credit represents roughly 10 notional hours of work which includes study time, assignments and examinations. Notional hours may very per courses depending on the course level and modality therefore, CEA recommends using NQF credits as a basis to determine U.S. equivalencies (1 NQF=.222 semester credits)