Song and Ethnography of the Mediterranean: Sardinia Italy

Cagliari, Italy

Dates and Deadlines

Note from Advisor:

Rolling admissions for trip start 10/15/2022. Students should enroll in the spring course, "Song and Ethnography of theMediterranean". Following submission of application, students must schedule an interview with Faculty Program Lead, Kristina Jacobsen. L

Information

Area of Study:

Anthropology, Ethnomusicology, Italian, Linguistics, Music

Program Type:

Faculty-Led

Language of Instruction:

English, Italian

GPA:

3.0

Language Prerequisite:

No previous language experience required, but knowledge of local language encouraged

Advisor Name:

Sara Gutierrez

Faculty Name:

Kristina Jacobsen (Music)

Advisor Email:

flip@unm.edu

Faculty Email:

kmj23@unm.edu

Overview

This course and trip will examine singing, ethnography and soundscapes of the Mediterranean through twelve days of cultural immersion on the Italian island of Sardinia. Known for its crystalline waters and pristine beaches, Sardinia is also host to some of the most unique singing traditions in the world, among them cantu a cuncordu and cantu a tenore. In addition to Italian, Sardinians also speak their own unique language—Sardinian—a language that is a mix of Spanish, Latin, Arabic, Italian and Greek, due to colonial occupations of these language groups over the course of Sardinia’s history. Through working with traditional singers, living in a small rural village and then in the large, bustling city of Cagliari, we will explore the different facets of contemporary Sardinian life, both rural and urban. We will participate in community events, daily village and city life, and be introduced to a wide network of singers, songwriters, instrumentalists, poets and storytellers from across the island. Ethnography, and ethnographic fieldwork, will also be a strong component of this course, as will Italian language immersion. This includes learning to be a culturally attuned and ethical traveler, and learning the skills of being a participant-observer, one of the basic tenets for ethnomusicological and anthropological fieldwork.

For Questions, please contact Dr. Kristina Jacobsen, Associate Professor of Ethnomusicology and Anthropology & Coordinator, Songwriting Focus Area (BAIA) Email: kmj23@unm.edu

Vertical Tabs

Academics

MUS 538/538, ANTH 340/540, FA 395

Before their arrival in Sardinia, students complete the three-credit course, "Song and Ethnography of the Mediterranean" to prepare them for the trip. Course includes readings in ethnomusicology, ethnography and linguistic anthropology, seminar-style discussion, film viewing, and music listening. Course is a 2nd 8-week class beginning 3/21/23 and meets tuesday/thursday 11:00-1:30 (3 credits).

Student Learning Outcomes:

• Increase intercultural communication and competence

• Reflect on the ethics and politics of travel

• Increase knowledge of singing and instrumental styles of the Mediterranean

• Understand how singing is embedded in social practice

• Introduction to the Sardinian language and minoritarian language settings

• Introduction to Ethnomusicology and Ethnography of the Mediterranean

Location

Location/Itinerary

May 17-20: Cagliari

May 21: Bortigali

May 22-24: Santu Lussurgiu

May 25: Cagliari

May 26: depart Cagliari

We will travel to the Italian island of Sardinia to learn about Sardinian singing and contemporary cultural practices of this southern Italian island. We will part of our time in a small rural village in the mountains, and part of our time in a bustling metropolitan city on the island's southern tip. Activities will include learning to sing traditional Sardinian songs, ethnographic writing assignments/cultural immersion, and participating in daily community life. Instruction to the Sardinian language and presentations on aspects of contemporary Sardinian life, music and culture will also be offered.

Housing

Housing in the village will be arranged by the group leader. Housing in the city of Cagliari will be arranged by students on their own through Air BnB.

Links

Below are lints to songs written by Dr. Jacobsen along with musicians in sardinia; the first is filmed in the village where part of the workshop will take place, and the second was filmed in one of the houses in the village and shows some shots of the countryside, etc.

1) 'il paese dei brividi,' written by matteo scano, giuseppe scanu and kristina jacobsen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KJF8klBtEuk

2) 1:00 minute promo. video for new album of cowrites released in sardinia, 'house on swallow street'; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zF9cOTW44A8

You are welcome to stay in Iltay after this program and participte in the song writing workshop, apply here: https://studyabroad.unm.edu/student-programs/songs-sardegna-community-based-songwriting-workshop

Costs

Program Costs

Program Costs: $1713.57

Instructional costs and materials

Shared apartment accommodation

Masterclasses with singers

Cultural activities

All-day trip to the Mediterranean sea

participation in a local music festival

In-country transportation

Presentations on aspects of contemporary Sardinian life

First and last night dinners

Not Included:

Airfare (approx. $1500)

Loging in Cagliari ($350)

Meals and incidentals ($400)

Medical Insurance ($25)

Italian SIM card ($30)

UNM Study Abroad Fee: $75 (Paid to GEO in application)

Visit to SHAC Travel Health Clinic: $15 per student + vaccinations if needed

Passport (if needed) ($130)

UNM Tuition (Paid to UNM through Bursar's office as usual)

Program Reviews

Feedback from Participants and What to Know Before You Depart:

“The singing workshop with Gigi was extremely powerful, especially for someone that doesn’t get to sing with people often. It felt amazing to sing such simple yet powerful harmonies with people. It was also cool to work with someone who is so knowledgeable about the single style

The time spent in Bortigali was probably the most outstanding experience. I felt very much at home with the people we were spending time with and it warmed my heart to feel so welcomed by the group. The way we were all going from bar to bar so happily, and seeing the competitive generosity in action felt unreal. I also loved seeing the spontaneous singing happen in nearly every location we visited. After lunch when the folks wanted to show us what in the town is important to them, and learning about their traditions was another amazing moment. I also gained such a huge affinity for our Airbnb host and how lovely breakfast was with him. I could not say enough about how much I loved Bortigali and Sas Enas.

I loved being able to listen to such an amazing group sing in a church in Santu Lussurgiu. The acoustics, the sights, and the how powerfully I heard the fifth voice was extremely moving. It really did sound like a soprano voice was spontaneously present in the other side of the church. I was thinking about it all night.”

Student Participant, Sardegna Trip 2022

“What has stayed with me was the extreme hospitality and patience that everyone had to someone who was merely visiting, and the rich exposures to the local culture were so inspiring! What was insightful was being able to interact with all these individuals and to see the kinds of communities that form around them.

What other students should know before coming to Sardegna is to prepare for the myriad of experiences mentally as well as physically. Some of it will be overwhelming, but it’ll all come together to be an exceptional journey. What I wish I’d known before arrival is the importance of pacing myself, especially after a long day. The advice I’d offer is take time for yourself as much as you need to; it helped me a lot during this trip. Also, set your alarm clock before any and all flights, especially in the early morning.”

Student Participant, Sardegna Trip 2022

“The canto concordu lessons given by Gigi. Despite not having the same musical training as the rest of the group, it felt so good trying it hahaha. There is a big difference between all the ethnographies and videos/movies we did during classes and to experience it live. Before the trip everything we learnt was mora visual and auditive, but during the trip everything became more into a sensorial experience. Actually, I could feel the vibration of the voices. I think that by singing canto concordu the intimacy among all of us as a group increased, due the way cantu. concordu is sung like.”

Student Participant, Sardegna Trip 2022

“Future students should know there will be lots of walking and steep hills! In that same manner, I wish I'd have exchanged more money from the start. I didn't really grasp the seriousness of reposo for businesses and restaurants so students knowing that they should plan their meals ahead of time is a good heads up. It also would be good for students to plan on always having small bills and that tabs aren't divided at restaurants. Advice would be to stay really hyradated and bring a water bottle that can keep your drinks cool; because there's not really ice anywhere. I'd advise to take down time seriously as resetting is important and crucial for everyone's moods to stay light and attitudes happy. I'd advise to really pack light and traveling and moving is frequent and you're responsible for carrying your things. I'd advise using Duolingo or other language learning tools weeks in advance even for small conversations or salutations when speaking with locals so you feel like you have something to say.”

Student Participant, Sardegna Trip 2022