Music and Wellbeing

This course explores the relationship between music, health, and wellbeing across diverse social and cultural contexts. Students will examine how music is used to support social connection, emotional expression, and personal and collective resilience. Using perspectives from a range of disciplines, including ethnomusicology, psychology, and public health, we will investigate how different communities engage with music to enhance wellbeing and strengthen social bonds. Key topics include participatory music-making, cultural traditions of music and wellbeing, and contemporary applications in health promotion and community development. Through case studies, hands-on musical activities, and discussions, students will explore the role of music in social movements, ritual, and everyday life. By the end of the course, students will gain a deeper understanding of music’s role in shaping individual and collective wellbeing and develop insights into its application in community and social settings.