Sonorous steps to Heaven: the function of sound in traditional magico-religious systems 3106-MagRel-OG

Activity in the mode of art is one of the characteristic features of the
animistic paradigm that has governed the modelling of the world for tens

of thousands of years. In all magical and religious activities, especially
those in the course of which trance states are achieved, sound plays an
important role. It is an omnipresent phenomenon, but especially in these
situations it cannot be disordered, it must be organised and therefore -
composed.
The lectures, illustrated with numerous images as well as sound
examples, are devoted to an overview of the types of sound (not only
strictly musical) activity that foster the achievement and then control of
states of altered consciousness, documented by ethnographic, historical
and also archaeological material dating back to the Upper Palaeolithic
period.
Among the topics and specific issues discussed will be:
1. Musical geography and the concept of foreign, strange sound
(confrontation of musical cultural diversity with the aesthetics of sound
produced in the European system).
2. The organisation of the ritual acoustic space - the real and the
imaginary (the role of sound, the role of silence, sound horizons: sound
boundary and boundary sounds, ultrasound and infrasound).
4. The role of the musical instrument (ritual and symbolic, but also
physical, e.g. the use of destructive infrasound in combat actions).
3. Shamanic music, musical estates, traditional therapies and sound
healing.

Type of course

general courses

Mode

Classroom

Course coordinators

Ewa Gruszczyńska-Ziółkowska

Learning outcomes

Upon completion of the course, the participant:
- understands the interdependencies between the various disciplines in
the humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, which are formed on
the ground of musicological research on ritual activities (K_W04)
- knows the basic methods of analysis and interpretation of cultural texts,
which are documents of musical ritual activities (K_W05);
- knows the most important methods of interdisciplinary research in the
study of ritual and ritual activity (K_W07);
- knows how to analyse works of art as well as scientific texts and source
materials using appropriate research tools (K_U02);
- is ready to learn new research methods (K_K03);
- is competent in selecting the most appropriate means to accomplish the
indicated tasks (K_K04);
- appreciates the richness of culture (K_K08);
- is ready to understand cultural heritage and cultural diversity (K_K09).

Assessment criteria

Evaluation on the basis of a written colloquium on the lecture and
obligatory readings. Attendance required - more than half of the classes

Bibliography

Obligatory readings:
Andrzej Wierciński „Model postaci szamana”, w: „Magia i religia. Szkice z
antropologii religii”. Wydawnictwo Nomos, Kraków 1977.
Wacław Sieroszewski „Dwanaście lat w kraju Jakutów”. Instytut
Wydawniczy Bibljoteka Polska, Warszawa 1935, t. 2, rozdz. V, VI.
Anna Gruszczyńska-Ziółkowska „Koncert w Hadesie: jaskinia i grota jako
źródła dźwiękowej inspiracji” w: Mit Orfeusza. Inspiracje i reinterpretacje
w europejskiej tradycji artystycznej, red. Sławomira Żerańska-Kominek,
Wydawnictwo Słowo/Obraz/Terytoria, Gdańsk 2003.
Suplementary readings:
Mircea Eliade „Mity, sny, misteria”. Wydawnictwo KR, Kraków 1994.
Ernesto de Martino „Ziemia zgryzoty: Przyczynek do historii życia
religijnego południowych Włoch”. Książka i Wiedza 1971.
Marius Schneider „Podstawy intelektualne i psychologiczne śpiewu
magicznego”, w: Res Facta nr 9, PWM, Kraków 1982.
Andrzej Wierciński „Magia i religia. Szkice z antropologii religii”.
Wydawnictwo Nomos, Kraków 1977.
Sławomira Żerańska-Kominek, Arnold Lebeuf „Opowieść o szalonej
Harman i Aszyku zakochanym w księżycu” Wydawnictwo: Nomos,
Kraków 1998

Additional information

Information on level of this course, year of study and semester when the course unit is delivered, types and amount of class hours - can be found in course structure diagrams of apropriate study programmes. This course is related to the following study programmes:

Additional information (registration calendar, class conductors, localization and schedules of classes), might be available in the USOSweb system:

Description of 3106-MagRel-OG in USOSweb