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MISSION
AND OBJECTIVES
The purpose of the Department of Music at Kathmandu University is
to:
Give the musical
traditions of Nepal a chance for survival by means of study, practice,
documentation, preservation, communication, appreciation, and creative
development,
Provide the public
and private sectors with students competent in music performance,
music studies as well as modern recording media, in order to work
in areas concerned with performance, training, preservation and presentation
of culture, research, publication, media work, tourism, consultation,
international presentation, cultural politics, etc.,
Preserve the
traditional repertoire to latest scientific standards,
Encourage and
involve traditional musicians and dancers.
In order to achieve
this, the department has been designed to work in six different areas:
1. Academic courses
(Diploma Course, B.A., M.A.)
2. Practical music classes
3. Performance (concert tours)
4. Preservation (sound archive and collection of musical instruments)
5. Research
6. Publication and communication (literature, CDs, documentary films)
The British Council,
the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) and the School of Oriental
and African Studies (SOAS) at the University of London have collaborated
with the K.U. Department of Music, in supporting the academic programme.
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ACADEMIC PROGRAMMES AND ADMISSION
The practical music classes, the one year diploma course in
music, the three years Bachelor degree course and the two years
Master degree course form the core activity of the department.
Currently, K.U. is developing a one year research-based M.A.
course.
Apart from
being compulsory for diploma and degree students, performance
training in several forms of Nepalese, Indian and Western music
is offered also to occasional students. Summer courses for visiting
students can be arranged for.
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PRACTICAL
MUSIC CLASSES
These non-degree classes in performance training are taught
twice weekly (excluding holidays), either individually or in small
groups. Monthly fee for Nepalese students: Rs. 800.- (six months per
semester) payable at the beginning of the semester. Fee for foreign
students: US $ 100.- per month.
Kathmandu University
initiates applications for a student visa. Nepal Government
requires approximately five to six weeks to process visa applications.
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DIPLOMA
COURSE IN MUSIC
The new one year diploma course in music has been designed to
help Nepalese music students reach the standard required for
entry into the B.A. course in ethnomusicology. Successful completion
of the diploma course in music will be a compulsory requirement
for all Nepalese students wishing to join the B.A. course. Experience
over the past six years has shown that Nepalese students need
additional training before entering on a degree course of international
standard. Students will also be able to develop their skills
in practical music and recording technology.
This diploma
course presents a broad range of subjects covering not only
music, so that after completion students can decide if they
wish to become performing musicians and/or music teachers, continue
with a B.A. in ethnomusicology or pursue higher studies in another
area. The course comprises of two semesters with fifteen credits
each. There will be continuous assessment and end-semester examinations.
Entrance
requirements: SLC plus successful completion of two years at
intermediate level, entrance interview. Registration fee: Rs.
4,000.- (subject to possible alteration), monthly tuition fees:
Rs. 3,500.- (six months per semester) payable at the beginning
of the semester.
Exemption
from the diploma course will be possible only in exceptional
cases. The Head of Department in collaboration with two members
of staff will decide after thorough examination if they can
recommend a student for exemption and direct entry into the
B.A. course. On the basis of this recommendation, the Dean of
Arts will make the final decision.
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THE BACHELOR AND MASTER PROGRAMMES
Degree Requirements
The degree of Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Ethnomusicology is awarded
on successful completion of prescribed courses and project work spread
over three academic years in six semesters of full-time study. The
curriculum is designed to develop an integrated understanding of Nepalese
and South Asian music and a basic knowledge of other musical traditions
of the world and subjects and skills related to ethnomusicology.
The degree of
Master of Arts (M.A.) in Ethnomusicology is awarded on successful
completion of prescibed courses and project work spread over two academic
years in four semesters of full-time study. The curriculum is designed
to deepen the understanding of Nepalese and South Asian music and
prepare students for fieldwork (including the use of recording media)
leading to their own research and M.A. thesis.
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PREREQUISITES
FOR ADMISSION
The prerequisites for joining the B.A. programme are:
1. (for Nepalese students) successful completion of the Diploma
Course in Music,
2. Working knowledge of English to read, write and communicate,
3. Musical aptitude.
The prerequisites for joining the M.A. programme are:
1. B.A. in Ethnomusicology or degree certifying equivalent knowledge
and training,
2. Reasonable command of spoken and written English,
3. Musical aptitude and performance background,
4. Ability to use personal computer and commonly used word processing
software.
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ADMISSION & ELIGIBILITY
Students are admitted to the Diploma Course and to the B.A. and M.A.
programmes on the basis of interest, aptitude and capacity for music
study as indicated by their academic records, performance in the interview,
and musical experience.
To be eligible
for applying to the M.A. programme, candidates should hold a Bachelor's
degree of at least three years duration with a minimum of sixty per
cent marks in aggregate.
Selection is
done through a multi-mode, multi-criteria procedure. Candidate's academic
records, references, personal interview and work experience are considered
with differential weightage given to each.
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TEACHING/INSTRUCTION
METHODS
Depending on the respective unit, instruction happens through
lectures, practical demonstrations with discussion, seminars
(students presenting papers to be discussed), practical courses
(demonstration and practice of special skills), self-instruction,
specified reading, and students' fieldwork with presentation
and discussion of results and problems. Students are encouraged
to participate actively during the seminars and lectures, by
questioning concepts and expressing views and opinions readily.
The students' critical response is asked for, not passive consumption
and reproduction of information.
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METHODS OF
ASSESSMENT
Evaluation at the Department of Music is continuous. The student is
evaluated on class participation, home assignments, and final examinations
after each semester. In some courses, students may be assigned term
papers and project reports for evaluation. Depending on the nature
of the respective unit/paper theoretical and/or practical examinations
and/or assignments are held. Assignments can be essays on a certain
aspect of music or an in-depth work or a practical performance (two
to three assignments per unit). The Department of Music attaches importance
to regular attendance of the course work and students have to maintain
a minimum of seventy-five per cent class attendance.
At the end of
each semester, students are awarded letter grades which represent
the weighted average of grades obtained in various segments of evaluation.
Evaluation is done on a four point grade system as follows:
|
Grade |
A |
B |
C |
D |
F |
|
Grade Point |
4 |
3 |
2 |
1 |
0 |
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PASSING
STANDARD
To graduate from the Department of Music, a student must obtain
an average of at least 2 grade points in all semesters including
project work. Re-examination will be given to students who have
obtained 'F' in a particular course or were absent with good
cause during the examination.
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FEES
Nepalese students: Rs. 3,500.- per month
Students from SAARC countries: Rs. 6,000.- per month / K.U. Registration Fee: Rs. 8,000
Students from other countries: US $ 300.- per month
K.U. registration
fee: Rs.4,000.- / Admission Fee: Rs. 4,000 (subject to possible alteration)
Kathmandu University
initiates applications for a student visa. Nepal Government
requires approximately five to six weeks to process visa applications.
Foreign students are advised to enter Nepal on a tourist visa. Applications
for student visa can only be initiated in Nepal.
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SCHOLARSHIPS
Depending on external sponsors, the Department of Music grants
scholarships for especially promising Nepalese students.
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SUPPORT FACILITIES
The library offers students a good selection of books on musical traditions
of the world with a maximum number of publications on South Asian
music. Macintosh computers, VCR, and a photocopy machine are part
of the equipment. The department has a large number of musical instruments,
many of them for use in class. The climatized sound archive contains
recordings of Nepalese musical traditions - mostly recordings produced
by G.-M. Wegner during his twenty years of fieldwork in Nepal - and
many CDs for demonstrations during class. There is also a large collection
of LPs with Western Classical music. Studio equipment includes portable
DAT recorders, multitrack harddisk recording, digital effects, editing,
mastering, duplication facilities for CD production and a PA system
for open air concerts.
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VENUE
Classes are held in Bhaktapur at the Harsha Narayan Dhaubhadel
Shivalaya at Chupin Ghat, where the Department of Music found
its permanent place in the most peaceful and idyllic setting.
Access is possible from Taumadhi Square, Bhaktapur via Gahiti-Lasinkhyah
or by road from Arniko Highway (left-turn 300m after Surya Vinayak
Trolley Bus Park, when approaching from Kathmandu).
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CURRICULUM
The B.A. and M.A. programmes require altogether ten semesters of full
time work spread over five academic years. If not mentioned otherwise,
all the courses are compulsory for all B.A. and M.A. students. During
the B.A. course students have to attend the following courses offered
by other departments:
B.A. 1st year: Computer Application
B.A. 3rd year: Business Management
Kathmandu University reserves the right to make changes and improvements
to the courses offered. If the number of students willing to take
a particular elective is insufficient, Kathmandu University reserves
the right to withdraw the elective course for the respective semester.
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CONTACT
Kathmandu University Department of Music
P.O.Box 10878
Kathmandu
Nepal
Tel.: 00977-1-612460
e-mail:
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