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Susannah Knights, BA, MSc, PhD

Fee £100.00 (concession rate £80.00) - fee will amend when you select the appropriate fee rate below.

Autumn 2026 

10 weekly sessions on Tuesdays, 7.00 pm to 9.00 pm, starting 29 September

Music is a central part of our daily lives. From the tunes we listen to in the shower, to the songs we play at celebrations, or the chants we sing at sports events or protests, music is everywhere. But what actually is music – and who gets to decide? How do musical practices become meaningful – and how do meanings change in different places and at different times? This course introduces learners to anthropological perspectives on music and sound. Together, we will explore the relationship between music, society and politics, drawing on cases of music-making from multiple geographical locations and historical moments. We will trace the ways that anthropologists and ethnomusicologists have sought to produce knowledge about music, questioning attempts to overcome the colonial legacies of the disciplines, and examining the impact of media and technology on conceptions of music. The course is suitable for learners with a curiosity, yet no prior knowledge, about anthropology and music studies.

This class will take place on QUB campus 

For further reading: Silverstein, Shayna M. Fraught Balance: The Embodied Politics of Dabke Dance Music in Syria. Wesleyan University Press, 2024; De Nora, Tia. Music in Everyday Life.  Cambridge University Press, 2000 

Support Requirements

If as a result of your disability you have support requirements, please complete a support needs form and return it 3 weeks before your class commences. The form is available to download here under the Facilities and Support for Disabled Students section or contact the office on 90 973323.

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