How Music Can Change Your Life

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How Music Can Change Your Life

Coursera (CC)
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Description

When you enroll for courses through Coursera you get to choose for a paid plan or for a free plan

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  • Paid plan: Commit to earning a Certificate—it's a trusted, shareable way to showcase your new skills.

About this course: Did you ever wonder how music works? This course provides free video, audio and journal resources that explain six basic principles about how music can influence individual and community health and wellbeing. From biology and neuroscience, to psychotherapy and politics, the ways we engage with music can make all the difference. Music has always played an integral role in the lives of individuals and communities all around the globe. This course explores the ways that music can be used to achieve positive changes with a particular emphasis on the most vulnerable persons. Six different understandings will be explored, each with their own set of values and assumptions. T…

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When you enroll for courses through Coursera you get to choose for a paid plan or for a free plan

  • Free plan: No certicification and/or audit only. You will have access to all course materials except graded items.
  • Paid plan: Commit to earning a Certificate—it's a trusted, shareable way to showcase your new skills.

About this course: Did you ever wonder how music works? This course provides free video, audio and journal resources that explain six basic principles about how music can influence individual and community health and wellbeing. From biology and neuroscience, to psychotherapy and politics, the ways we engage with music can make all the difference. Music has always played an integral role in the lives of individuals and communities all around the globe. This course explores the ways that music can be used to achieve positive changes with a particular emphasis on the most vulnerable persons. Six different understandings will be explored, each with their own set of values and assumptions. The greatest thinkers in each approach believe that their way of explaining the power of music is right, but we will show that understanding music in its entirety delivers the best results in each unique circumstance. Once we understand the various ways that music can change the world, we can make informed decisions about how best to employ its extraordinary power. Learners who engage in this MOOC can expect to both deepen and broaden their understanding of how music can be used with individuals, groups and communities. Specifically: • To distinguish between how music works on the body, in the brain, through the unconscious, for bonding, as political action and in reflecting culture, • To design practical programs that utilise music to support individuals, groups and communities based on examples shared in the ‘on-site’ case studies. View the MOOC promotional video here: http://tinyurl.com/jnde3w3

Who is this class for: This course will be relevant for anyone who has an interest in the ways that music can be used to enhance health, wellbeing and connectedness. You don't have to be a musician to be able to understand and use some of these ideas, but an interest in music will make the learning more rewarding and enjoyable. For those who work in hospitals and settings that value scientific evidence, unit one will be most relevant. Unit two is designed for those working in educational contexts, with both an interest in music learning and other achievements. Unit three focuses on mental health, with a particular emphasis on psychotherapeutic concepts, both traditional and contemporary. Unit four uses the parent-infant relationship as a way of illustrating music in intimate relationships and may be particularly interesting for parents. Unit five is oriented to community development and emphasises empowering ways of working with communities. Unit six draws heavily on knowledge from indigenous cultures and explores the importance of cultural sensitivity within and between people of all cultures.

Created by:  The University of Melbourne
  • Taught by:  Katrina Skewes McFerran, Professor

    Melbourne Conservatorium of Music
Level Beginner Commitment 6 weeks of study, 3-4 hours/week Language English How To Pass Pass all graded assignments to complete the course. User Ratings 4.6 stars Average User Rating 4.6See what learners said Coursework

Each course is like an interactive textbook, featuring pre-recorded videos, quizzes and projects.

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The University of Melbourne The University of Melbourne is an internationally recognised research intensive University with a strong tradition of excellence in teaching, research, and community engagement. Established in 1853, it is Australia's second oldest University.

Syllabus


WEEK 1


How can music influence the body to support fitness and rehabilitation?



Music has been used throughout history and across cultures to influence the body, but only in recent decades have researchers been able to examine how it is processed through the brain. These recent discoveries explain the relationship between features of music like rhythm, and improvements in physical health, particularly in rehabilitation. They also explain why people with Alzheimer’s disease remember all of the words to songs but can’t have a clear conversation. In this unit we hear and see how music has been used, often by qualified music therapists working in hospitals, to influence the body and support fitness and rehabilitation.


9 videos, 5 readings expand


  1. Video: Course introduction
  2. Reading: Course overview
  3. Reading: Start of course survey
  4. Video: Unit 1 introduction - part 1of 2
  5. Video: Unit 1 introduction - part 2 of 2
  6. Video: Neuroscience perspective - introduction
  7. Video: Neuroscience perspective
  8. Reading: Podcast by Dr Wendy Magee
  9. Video: Introducing Dr Patsy Tan
  10. Video: Working in hospitals
  11. Video: Live and recorded music
  12. Video: The art of offering music to patients
  13. Reading: Journal articles by Imogen Clarke, Jeanette Tamplin and Julian Winn O'Kelly
  14. Discussion Prompt: When has music influenced your perception of pain or motor function?
  15. Reading: Design a program to achieve a physical health outcome
  16. Discussion Prompt: Share your discoveries: Physical health outcome

Graded: Unit 1 - worth 10% of your final grade

WEEK 2


How can music motivate the mind to promote academic achievement?



How much music is included in schools varies significantly, between countries and even around the corner. Learning music can happen in classrooms and through individual lessons. It can also be used to promote wellbeing and foster inclusion of diverse students. Researchers have investigated whether learning music results in higher achievement in other cognitive, social and psychological domains. In this unit we showcase some of that research and carefully consider what kinds of musical experiences are needed to achieve the different goals.


7 videos, 3 readings expand


  1. Video: Unit 2 introduction - part 1 of 2
  2. Video: Unit 2 introduction - part 2 of 2
  3. Video: Cognitive psychology - introduction
  4. Video: Cognitive psychology perspective
  5. Reading: Podcast by Dr Daphne Rickson
  6. Video: Introducing Professor Gary McPherson
  7. Video: How music motivates the mind - part 1 of 2
  8. Video: How music motivates the mind - part 2 of 2
  9. Reading: Journal articles by Susan Hallam and Alex Crooke
  10. Discussion Prompt: How was music a part of your educational experience?
  11. Reading: Design a program to achieve a personal learning outcome
  12. Discussion Prompt: Share your discoveries: Learning outcome

Graded: Unit 2 - worth 10% of your overall grade

WEEK 3


How can music reflect the psyche to improve mental health?



Music can be a powerful way to explore and comprehend our deepest emotions. When used in psychoanalysis, this can lead to rich experiences that may even reveal aspects of our unconscious world that can be processed within the safety of the therapeutic relationship. Within the field of music therapy, practitioners often debate the relative merits of free improvisation on instruments in comparison to using the preferred songs of clients in therapy. Both afford opportunities to deepen our understanding of ourselves and our relationships to others, and music more generally can be used as a health resource that travels with us as we recover from being acutely unwell and continue the journey of life.


9 videos, 3 readings expand


  1. Video: Unit 3 introduction - part 1 of 2
  2. Video: Unit 3 introduction - part 2 of 2
  3. Video: Psychodynamic therapy perspective - introduction
  4. Video: Psychodynamic therapy perspective
  5. Reading: Podcast by A/Prof Randi Rolvsjord
  6. Video: Introducing Benedikte Scheiby
  7. Video: The work of Mary Priestley
  8. Video: Individual music therapy
  9. Video: Music and emotions
  10. Video: Research and theoretical foundations
  11. Reading: Journal articles by Jinah Kim and Laura Medcalf
  12. Discussion Prompt: When has music reflected your emotions?
  13. Reading: Design a program in order to explore a personal issue
  14. Discussion Prompt: Share your discoveries: Personal issue

Graded: Unit 3 - worth 10% of your overall grade

WEEK 4


How can music foster intimacy to strengthen relationships?



Have you ever used music to try and improve a relationship in your life? Playing the right background music is one thing, but what about singing with another person, or improvising on musical instruments in responsive and caring ways. Listening is the key to intimacy in any relationship and music can be the perfect vehicle to explore listening in new ways. We explore intimacy between parents and infants, therapists and clients and the ways that music therapists engage in musicking with people to build relationships that help.


6 videos, 3 readings expand


  1. Video: Unit 4 introduction - part 1 of 2
  2. Video: Unit 4 introduction - part 2 of 2
  3. Video: Communicative musicality perspective
  4. Reading: Podcast by Mercedes Pavlicevic
  5. Video: Introducing Dr Stephen Malloch
  6. Video: We are all musical
  7. Video: Being present in music
  8. Reading: Journal articles by Helen Shoemark and Elizabeth McLean
  9. Discussion Prompt: Explore your understanding of 'communicative musicality'
  10. Reading: Design a program to strengthen a personal relationship
  11. Discussion Prompt: Share your discoveries: Personal relationship

Graded: Unit 4 - worth 10% of your overall grade

WEEK 5


How can music enhance connectedness to support communities?



Is the power of music strongest when used by groups and communities? Music has often been used by groups of people to express their shared beliefs, but it can be just as powerful when we connect musically with people whose beliefs and backgrounds are different. When we sing in choirs and dance in groups, a sense of community can be fostered that transcends differences and highlights those things that we share. But music has also been used to encourage one group to fight against another group of people, so using music requires careful consideration of power and privilege to ensure that change is for the greater good.


7 videos, 3 readings expand


  1. Video: Unit 5 introduction - part 1 of 2
  2. Video: Unit 5 introduction - part 2 of 2
  3. Video: Music and community with a Norwegian rock band
  4. Reading: Podcast with Andeline dos Santos
  5. Video: Introducing Dr Gary Ansdell
  6. Video: Inviting people into music
  7. Video: Fostering musical togetherness
  8. Video: What is musicking?
  9. Reading: Journal articles by Meg Stelle and Elly Scrine
  10. Discussion Prompt: How has music brought you together with people around you?
  11. Reading: Design a program that supports a community group
  12. Discussion Prompt: Share your discoveries: Community group

Graded: Unit 5 - worth 10% of your overall grade

WEEK 6


How can music express culture and honour our diverse societies?



Each of us belongs to a range of culture and subcultures, including our ethnic heritage, our gender and sexuality, our abilities and ages. Many of us live in diverse neighbourhoods and cities where it is not enough to be culturally tolerant - we need to be culturally curious and engaged. Music is a powerful way of honouring diversity in culture and has been used to transcend differences and come together as many voices singing one song. We explore how important it is to be aware of our own power and privilege when musicking with people from cultures other than our own.


7 videos, 3 readings expand


  1. Video: Unit 6 introduction - part 1 of 2
  2. Video: Unit 6 introduction - part 2 of 2
  3. Video: Cultural studies perspective introduction
  4. Video: Cultural studies perspective
  5. Reading: Podcast by Seung-A Kim
  6. Video: Introducing Richard Frankland
  7. Video: Music and voice
  8. Video: Music as teacher
  9. Reading: Journal articles by Carolyn Kenny and Sally Treloyn
  10. Discussion Prompt: How does music serve to express your culture?
  11. Reading: Design a program that expresses your cultural identity
  12. Discussion Prompt: Share your discoveries: Cultural identity

Graded: Unit 6 - worth 10% of your overall grade

WEEK 7


Course wrap-up
We finish up the course this week with some closing remarks and a final assignment for you to undertake. We've also included some bonus podcasts and an interview for those who are interested.


2 videos, 5 readings expand


  1. Video: Closing remarks
  2. Reading: Where to from here?
  3. Reading: Acknowledgements
  4. Reading: End of course survey
  5. Video: Interview with Mirza Arfina
  6. Reading: Bonus podcasts with Dr Dowrick and Professor Stige
  7. Reading: Academic integrity

Graded: Design a group program - worth 40% of your final grade
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