Music and Peacebuilding

Explore the intersections of music and peacebuilding with a hands-on, interdisciplinary major that tailors elective courses and practicum to a student's career goals. The combination of music and peacebuilding can be a powerful tool to creatively transform conflict and promote intercultural competence. In this program, students cultivate creativity as practitioners of music and peace, where in addition to the fundamental courses of both departments, students build a rich portfolio and engage in a significant practicum opportunity, which help students build a diverse set of skills to be marketable for employment.

This interdisciplinary-style major combines musical training alongside building theory and practice of peacebuilding work. It includes training in using the common-ground building nature of making music together toward aims of conflict transformation through building empathy and enabling constructive dialogue.

Started in 2021, this major is the first of it's kind! Dr. Benjamin Bergey developed this major following his dissertation work at the intersection of music and peacebuilding. He now works with prominent scholars in this emerging field to help bring together organizations and practitioners in music and peacebuilding through the MOMRI Music and Peacebuilding Hub.

The Music and Peacebuilding program has also sponsored innovative concerts, guest speakers, colloquia, and soloists to work with our students and enrich their education. The EMU Chamber Singers also commissioned a work by the Walking Roots Band to dedicate this new major, called "Sing Each Other Home."

Learn more by listening to the Center for Justice and Peacebuilding (CJP) podcast episode where Dr. Bergey describes starting the program and talks about some of the main goals of the program.

Students can also take a graduate course in Music and Peacebuilding through CJP's Summer Peacebuilding Institute.

Distinctives
- EMU is particularly well suited for this, with strong programs in both fields
- A tailored curriculum that culminates in a practicum and portfolio
- Many organizations in the area well suited for this type of internship or practicum
- Distinctive major that no other universities offer
- Advised by faculty whose doctoral specialty is in this field
- Cultivates creativity as practitioners of music and peace
- At a university with a world-renowned Center for Justice and Peacebuilding
Student Opportunities/Practicums

Tailor electives of current courses to bridge into neuroscience, psychology, theology, sociology, and non-profit management to be able to learn, practice, and implement skills learned in their lives and communities.

Capstone Project: Although this credit will be taken senior year, it will be personalized from year one. The student and advisor will set goals and objectives for each year to integrate what they are learning in both music and peacebuilding. The portfolio documents major projects through the program and displays achievements and analysis of practicum and networks. Senior year will include a larger project that applies the concepts of music and peacebuilding in a hands-on way. The portfolio would be completed with the student’s professional résumé or CV, along with a personalized website crafted for their relevant job market

Practicum: Students choose a practicum assignment within the local community to engage with others while practicing tools of using music and peacebuilding in the field.
Outcomes/Careers
- Non-profit arts organizations
- Non-profit peacebuilding organizations
- Community and international development
- Community arts education
- Music teachers that create particularly safe and just learning environments
- Social policy advocacy
- Restorative justice
Affordability
Scholarships are available for music majors.
- 99% of undergrads receive financial aid
- The average assistance package is over $37,000
- Over $21 million in aid is awarded each year
Financial aid packages often include:
Learn more by contacting EMU's Financial Assistance Office or checking out our net price calculator.

Curriculum

Required Music Courses (33 SH)

CMUS 120 Fundamentals of Music (3 SH)
CMUS 181 Music Theory I (3 SH)
CMUS 281 Music Theory II (3 SH)
CMUS 250 Music History I (3 SH)
CMUS 260 Music History II (3 SH)
CMUS 200 Landscape of Music (0 SH)
CMUS 411 Conducting I (4 SH)
MUPS Private studies (7 SH)
MUES Ensembles (7 SH)

Required Peacebuilding Courses (16-18 SH)

PXD 151 Exploring Conflict and Peace (3 SH) OR SOC 101 Intro to Sociology (3 SH)
PXD 225 Theories of Social Change (3 SH) OR PXD 365 Social and Political Economy (3 SH)
PXD 261 Community & Conflict Analysis Tech. (3 SH)
PXD 341 Mediation & Facilitation (3 SH) OR PXD 451 Program Evaluation (3 SH)
PXD 345 Peacebuilding Theory and Action (3 SH)
PXD 431 PXD Practicum (1-3 SH)

Electives

Other approved courses in music, Peacebuilding, theology, non-profit management, sociology, etc. (9 SH)

Capstone

MUPS 492 Capstone Project for Music and Peacebuilding (1 SH)

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