Korean Music, A Philosophical Exploration from Coursera

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Syllabus

Philosophizing through Korean Music

In this week, students will explore the rich and diverse world of Korean music, encompassing both contemporary K-pop and traditional Korean music, known as Gukak. They will gain an appreciation for the connections and continuity between these seemingly disparate genres, recognizing how elements of traditional Korean music influence and inform the contemporary K-pop sound.

Evolving Identity of Korean Music

In this week, students will explore the concept of the "Korean Matrix" and how this course defines cultural boundaries, shedding light on the factors that shape and define Korean culture. Additionally, students will gain insights into the open-mindedness of Koreans towards embracing musical influences from various regions, including India, the Middle East, and China.

Korean Music Viewed through Cultural Boundaries

In this week, students will discover how Koreans have historically embraced foreign musical influences through the Taepyeongso, showcasing their openness to external ideas and sounds. will introduce students to ancient indigenous Korean instruments, specifically the Geomungo and Gayageum, highlighting their unique cultural significance and contributions to Korean music. Lastly, this week will explore the intriguing paradox of Korean culture, where they have demonstrated an acceptance of foreign ideas and music while preserving their own rich traditions.

Korean Music and Emotions

In this week, students will engage with Korean emotions like Han which can be felt through the famous song Arirang and Heung which can be heard in songs like Ong-Heya. Students will learn that Han and Heung are both complementing and contrasting emotions which reflects a unique feature of Korean emotionality.

Korean Music and Morality

In this week, students will first be introduced to Confucian ritual music and court music, gaining insight into the traditional ceremonial and royal musical practices of Korea.Furthermore, this week will delve into various theories, most notably Mencius’s music theory that explores the intricate relationship between music and morality, shedding light on how music can influence ethical values and behaviors.

Korean Music and Language

In this week, students will learn about Jeonganbo – Korea's unique musical notation system. Learners will also understand more about the Koreanness in Korean music and the connection between folk music and the Korean language. Additionally, students will be exposed to concepts such as Jangdan and how Daoist music theory might explain Korean musical innovation.

Let's Talk about Korean Music and Philosophy

This week is a round table with the lecturers and the student research assistants who helped develop this course. In this conversation the students will ask questions about topics ranging from Korean emotions, different models of history, to additional explanation about Jeonganbo (Korean music notation). This conversation serves to both summarize and dig deeper into the contents of the course previously covered.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Provides a different perspective on Korean culture through K-POP

Examines Korean philosophy and its influence on Korean music

Introduces students to the unique characteristics of Korean music and its instruments

Explores the relationship between Korean music and morality

Taught by instructors with expertise in Korean music and philosophy

Requires students to have some background knowledge in Korean music or philosophy

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Korean Music, A Philosophical Exploration with these activities:

Learn or review Korean language basics

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Establish a basic understanding of Korean language to fully appreciate the nuances of Korean Music.

Browse courses on Korean

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Enroll in a Korean language course or use online resources to learn basic grammar and vocabulary.
Practice listening to and speaking Korean through movies, TV shows, or podcasts.

Review basic music theory

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Reviewing basic music theory will help you understand the fundamental concepts of Korean music.

Browse courses on Music Theory

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Read a book or article about music theory.
Take an online course or workshop on music theory.
Attend a music theory class at a local community college or music school.

Summarize Korean culture

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Summarizing the key elements of Korean culture will aid in understanding the context of Korean music.

Browse courses on Korean Culture

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Research Korean history, traditions, and customs
Identify key themes and patterns in Korean culture
Write a brief summary that captures the essence of Korean culture

Five other activities

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Explore online resources for Korean music

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This exploration will expose you to diverse perspectives on Korean music and provide valuable insights into its history, cultural significance, and contemporary trends.

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Visit websites dedicated to Korean music, such as the National Gugak Center
Watch documentaries and interviews with Korean musicians
Follow Korean music blogs and online communities

Join a study group with fellow learners

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Engage in discussions, share perspectives, and collaborate on projects to deepen your understanding of Korean music and its cultural context.

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Connect with other students through the course platform or online forums
Organize regular meetings to discuss course topics and share research

Read 'Understanding Korean Music' by Robert C. Provine

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This book provides a comprehensive overview of the history, theory, and practice of Korean music, offering valuable insights into its unique characteristics and cultural significance.

View Traditional Music: Sounds in Harmony with... on Amazon

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Read through the chapters sequentially
Take notes and highlight important passages
Complete the review questions at the end of each chapter

Create a playlist of Korean music

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By creating a playlist, you will engage with Korean music on a personal level, allowing you to explore different genres, artists, and themes.

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Use streaming services like Spotify or Apple Music to discover Korean music
Listen to a variety of songs and select those that resonate with you
Create a playlist and share it with others

Develop a research paper on a topic related to Korean music

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Through research and writing, you will demonstrate your understanding of Korean music and its cultural significance.

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Choose a research topic that interests you
Conduct research using academic journals, books, and other sources
Write a research paper that presents your findings and analysis

Career center

Learners who complete Korean Music, A Philosophical Exploration will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Ethnomusicologist

Ethnomusicologists study the music of different cultures. They may travel to different parts of the world to conduct research and learn about different musical traditions. This course may be useful for ethnomusicologists who want to learn more about Korean music and how it fits into the global context.

See salaries and explore the career path for Ethnomusicologist

Music Historian

Music historians study the history of music. They may write books and articles, give lectures, and teach courses on music history. This course may be useful for music historians who want to learn more about Korean music and how it has evolved over time.

See salaries and explore the career path for Music Historian

Music Educator

Music educators teach music in schools and other settings. They may work with students of all ages, from elementary school to college. This course may be useful for music educators who want to learn more about Korean music and how to incorporate it into their teaching.

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Musician

Musicians use their skills with musical instruments to create art while performing. Those who enter this field often start at a young age, studying under a private teacher to build a foundation in music fundamentals. This course may be helpful for those who wish to study Korean music in particular, as it discusses Korean's unique approach to music.

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Music Professor

Music professors teach music at colleges and universities. They may specialize in a particular area of music, such as music history, music theory, or performance. This course may be useful for music professors who want to expand their knowledge of Korean music and incorporate it into their teaching.

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Music Critic

Music critics write and review music for newspapers, magazines, and websites. They may also give lectures and presentations on music. This course may be useful for music critics who want to learn more about Korean music and how to evaluate it.

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Music Librarian

Music librarians organize and maintain music collections. They may also provide reference services to patrons. This course may be useful for music librarians who want to learn more about Korean music and how to catalog and preserve it.

See salaries and explore the career path for Music Librarian

Music Journalist

Music journalists write about music for newspapers, magazines, and websites. They may also review concerts and albums. This course may be useful for music journalists who want to learn more about Korean music and how it fits into the global music scene.

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Music Archivist

Music archivists preserve and document music history. They may work in libraries, museums, or other institutions. This course may be useful for music archivists who want to learn more about Korean music and how to preserve it for future generations.

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Music Director

Music directors oversee musical performances. They research and select music, prepare scores, and conduct auditions. They may also lead musical groups and give instruction to other musicians. This course may be useful for music directors who wish to broaden their knowledge of Asian music and bring a more global perspective to their work.

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Event Planner

Event planners plan and coordinate events, such as concerts, festivals, and parties. They may work for a variety of clients, including businesses, non-profit organizations, and individuals. This course may be useful for event planners who want to learn more about Korean music and how to incorporate it into their events.

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Arts Administrator

Arts administrators manage the business side of arts organizations. They may work for theaters, museums, or other arts organizations. This course may be useful for arts administrators who want to learn more about Korean music and how to promote it to a wider audience.

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Music Producer

Music producers oversee the recording and production of music. They may work with musicians, engineers, and other professionals to create a finished product. This course may be useful for music producers who want to learn more about Korean music and how it can be produced.

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Music Therapist

Music therapists use music to help people improve their physical and mental health. They may work with people of all ages, from infants to the elderly. This course may be useful for music therapists who want to learn more about Korean music and how it can be used in therapy. For example, they might learn about how Korean music can be used to promote relaxation or to help people express their emotions.

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Composer

Composers create original music. They may work in a variety of genres, including classical, pop, and film music. This course may be useful for composers who want to develop a deeper understanding of Korean music and incorporate its elements into their own compositions.

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Korean Music, A Philosophical Exploration

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