Write about....

1. Write about at least one thing you learned about another culture that surprised or intrigued you.

There were commonalities and differences that surprised me within each musical culture that we reviewed. However, the class evoked many questions I previously considered within philosophy and anthropology courses.

Firstly, I find it interesting that each culture has something that constitutes "music".
Secondly, I like to review the music/art culture in conjunction with the religious belief systems in a given region. Which leads me to the overarching questions: What is culture?

Culture is defined as the shared patterns of behaviors and interactions, cognitive constructs, and affective understanding that are learned through a process of socialization. These shared patterns identify the members of a culture group while also distinguishing those of another group.

2. Write about at least one thing you realized about your own culture through our discussions.

Our studies in the class just reaffirmed the fact that we haven't a single musical culture.
(Explanation to come later...)

3. Write about at least one thing that this course has inspired you to learn more about.

While I am well versed in certain areas of the world, I realized that I truly know very little regarding Asian politics, customs, and culture. I hope to expand my understanding in the Asiatic region.

I also have heard about a very contained culture (of which a book has been written) where their linguistic culture has defied principle linguistic rules of study. Also the group of people apparently live very much in the present and unless you or your parents experienced something it means nothing to them. I am interested as to the impact their cultural belief and learning systems have had on their music culture.