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Minor
Music in Global Communities

Through the Minor in Music in Global Communities (MGC), students explore contemporary global social, cultural, and technological trends relating to long-standing non-Western traditions and cultural practices, while developing their listening and analytical skills. All MGC minors take courses in music theory and practice, as well as additional global music electives. Musical experience is not required.

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Degree Details

Official Degree Title

Minor in Music in Global Communities

Format
Full-time or Part-time
Credits
15-19

Through the Minor in Music in Global Communities (MGC), students explore contemporary global social, cultural, and technological trends relating to long-standing non-Western traditions and cultural practices, while developing their personal listening practices and analytical skills.

All MGC minors take coursework in music theory and practice, as well as additional global music electives at the Washington Square campus. The minor provides the opportunity to explore trends in popular music, electronic music, and non-Western genres, while developing a vocabulary and skill set to thoughtfully engage with the Western concert music repertoire.

The minor has two tracks available. One track offers students an opportunity to complete their requirements during a semester away at NYU Accra, Shanghai, or Abu Dhabi. The other track allows them to complete their requirements through additional global music courses at Washington Square.

MGC Track 1 requires one semester of Study Away at NYU Accra, NYU Shanghai, or NYU Abu Dhabi. At our global sites, students complete 4-8 units, researching and exploring the musical traditions and practices of the region.

MGC Track 2 offers an option to fulfill all requirements of the minor at Washington Square, completing at least 8 units in global music electives.

The Music in Global Communities minor is open to all NYU undergraduate students outside of the Music and Performing Arts Professions Department. No prior musical background is required.

Theory and Practice Requirements are taken at NYU Washington Square - 7 Credits

MPATC-UE 1300 Music Fundamentals (2 credits)
MPATC-UE 1300 is a foundational course.  Students with more music experience may choose to test out of MPATC-UE 1300 and take MPATC-UE 1333 instead.

MPATC-UE 1301 Theory & Practice I: Global Approaches to Music (2 credits) 

MPATC-UE 1302 Aural Skills I: Global Approaches to Music (1 credit)

Take two credits from the following:

MPATC-UE 1333 Advanced Theory and Practice: Non-Western Music (2 credits)  
MPATC-UE 1312 Theory and Practice II: Popular Music (2 credits) 
MPATC-UE 1334 Advanced Theory and Practice: Counterpoint in the Digital Age (2 credits)

Global Music Electives - 4 Credits

Choose a minimum of 4 credits from the following study away courses:

NYU Accra 
CORE-UE 9534 Cultures and Contexts: The Black Atlantic (4 Credits)
SCA-UA 9120 Grammy’s Afrobeats & Hiplife: African Contemporary Music (4 Credits)
SCA-UA 9124 Documenting the African City (4 Credits)
SCA-UA 9120 African Popular Music (4 Credits)

NYU Abu Dhabi 
ACS-UH 1412x Race and Ethnicities in the Histories of the Middle East & Africa (4 Credits)
MUSIC UH 1611x Arab Music Cultures (4 Credits)
MUSIC-UH 2668 Popular Music and Politics in Africa (4 Credits)
CCEA-UH 1097 Music: Conflict, Protest, & Peace (4 Credits)

NYU Shanghai 
MUS-SHU 150 Group Erhu: All Levels (4 Credits)
MUS-SHU 151 Group Bamboo Flute: All Levels (4 Credits)
MUS-SHU 152 Group Guqin: All Levels (4 Credits)
MUS-SHU 219 The Music of Shanghai (4 Credits)
 

Washington Square Music Electives - 4 Credits

Choose a minimum of 4 Credits from the following courses:

MPATC-UE 1505 The Performing Arts in Global Cultures (4 Credits)
MPAMB-UE 1224 The Global Music Industry: Popular Music- Culture and Society (4 Credits)
MPATE-UE 1038 Global Electronic Music I (3 Credits)
MPAMB-UE 106 Global Music Trend Analysis (2 Credits)
MPAJZ-UE 1603 Music in Contemporary World Cultures: Balkan Music (1 Credit)
MPAJZ-UE 1604 Music in Contemporary World Cultures: Afro-Cuban Music (1 Credit)
MPAJZ-UE 1609 Music in World Cultures: Music from Arab World (1 Credit)
MPAJZ-UE 1610 Music in World Cultures: Brazilian Music (1 Credit)

Washington Square Music Electives - 8 Credits

Choose a minimum of 8 credits from the following courses:

MPATC-UE 1505 The Performing Arts in Global Cultures (4 Credits)
MPAMB-UE 1224 The Global Music Industry: Popular Music- Culture and Society (4 Credits)
MPATE-UE 1038 Global Electronic Music I (3 Credits)
MPAMB-UE 106 Global Music Trend Analysis (2 Credits)
MPAJZ-UE 1603 Music in Contemporary World Cultures: Balkan Music (1 Credit)
MPAJZ-UE 1604 Music in Contemporary World Cultures: Afro-Cuban Music (1 Credit)
MPAJZ-UE 1609 Music in World Cultures: Music from Arab World (1 Credit)
MPAJZ-UE 1610 Music in World Cultures: Brazilian Music (1 Credit)