1) Many of the ethnomusicologists we have studied raise the issue of bias and how it affects their work. Imagine that you are comparing two hypothetical sets of field-notes--one by yourself, in a culture in which you consider yourself to be an insider, and one by a Martian studying that same culture as a theoretical outsider. How do you think they would be the same? How how do you think they would be different? Address in the manner of your choosing, although the norm seems to be a 2-3 page paper.
2) Some of the readings we have done (Agawu, for example) have offered the view that ethnomusicology in some way perpetuates the colonial relationship between cultures of unequal status in world influence. These views range from the historical observation that ethnomusicology was born from the ideals of a western-centric society to the claim that the very act of studying another culture imposes, to some degree, a different culture upon it. Rather than discussing a specific reading, please focus on your own opinions as to where ethnomusicology falls on this admittedly broad spectrum. Feel free to offer suggestions for improvement, if you have them, but don't feel pressured to offer a solution to an issue that has plagued the entire field for decades. Please address this topic in either a 2-3 page paper or a 4-6 minute interpretive dance.
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