Details

Hebrew Music and Culture

Students will select a topic of interest, craft a thesis, and develop the paper and presentation during the first half of the semester. Sign-ups for a presentation date will occur during the first day of classes.
Details follow, below.

1. Topics for paper are the student’s choice, to range from a particular area within a genre or composer’s output (such as “Jewish themes in the music of Aaron Copland”), to a topic within a Jewish genre of music (such as “Development of the Chassidic Nigun during the Nineteenth Century,” or “Evolution of Klezmer from Eastern Europe to the Eastern Seaboard”), to discussion of a particular instrument (“Use of the Oud in Israeli Music”).
2. The paper can also explore an interdisciplinary topic, involving poetry, literature, political science, anthropology, or another area of interest.
3. Thesis
   • The paper should revolve around a central thesis, which is a primary point or argument about your topic that you wish to make.
4. Musical Example(s): The paper must include some discussion and analysis of at least one musical example (not from the class listening), that helps to illustrate or support your thesis
   • Discussion of the musical example reflect your understanding of the music, the text (if applicable), and the connection to Jewish tradition

1500-2000 words