This course is suitable for both music and non-music students. There are thousands of different musical styles in the world, only some of which are familiar to western listeners and there has also been extraordinary degree of cross-influence in history which is occurring at an even faster rate in the 21st century. The course introduces a wide range of traditional and contemporary world music and examines the background and musical characteristics of each style. It also investigates the perspectives of the people who make each of these music styles and looks at the way that different cultures view each other’s music. Classes consist of lectures, demonstrations and musical activities suitable for all students.