Course content

How can music be used to promote health? What happens in the body and mind, in the brain, with the emotions and inner world of imagery and sensations? How can group activities with music contribute to better public health? And: what is music therapy?

The importance of music as a promoter of health and wellbeing is increasingly acknowledged in both health care and society at large. Music therapy is an officially approved and increasingly spread profession, and music therapy methods and perspectives are in demand in both health care and community music, non-medical practices. Music therapy is used in e.g. neonatal care and for people with autism, ADHD, functional needs, mental health issues, eating disorders, drug addiction problems, stroke, dementia and Parkinson’s disease. The course also addresses how music can be used to regulate emotions, cope with the challenges of everyday life and to feel better with oneself, and as a positive opportunity in the society, through choirs, bands or other types of activities where people get together to make music and create group cohesion.

You will learn several different perspectives on how and why music can support health and wellbeing; neurological, psychological and sociological. You will hear and read about many cases and personal stories on how music has helped people. You will also have a practical exercise going out into the society to observe a "community music" event where music is used to create connectedness and wellbeing. There will also be opportunities to try some music therapy methods adapted to how you can use them in your own life to promote wellbeing.

Learning outcome

Knowledge:

An examinee who successfully completes MUSV1105 will have basic knowledge about

• Perspectives from neuroscience, psychology and sociology on how music can promote health.
• How music therapy can be used to promote health and wellbeing for people with different social and health challenges.
• Some of the most common music therapy methods.
• How music can be used as a public health resource, to strengthen positive self-identity, agency and wellbeing in your own life and contribute to a socially sustainable society.

Skills:

An examinee with a completed qualification in MUSV1105 can

• Explain how and why music can affect people's health from different interdisciplinary perspectives.
• Use music consciously to regulate emotions and obtain specific states of mind oneself and with others.
• Present their own thoughts and views in connection with current debates about the role of music in society in a coherent manner, both orally and in writing.

Learning methods and activities

The course consists of lectures and seminars with compulsory attendance (at least 80%). Both lectures and seminars will be interactive with practical exercises and group work. In addition, there will be group work and individual practical exercises between the lectures.

A 7.5 credit course corresponds to approximately 650 pages of course literature. It is expected that students read the course literature and participate in discussions at lectures/seminar.

In this course you will meet students from a broad range of study programs at NTNU, from musicology, sociology, medicine, teachers’ education etc. Some may also take the course as part of their "post-graduate" education. This is a strength in the course and will lead to a broad spectrum of perspectives which will enrichen the discussions.

Compulsory assignments

• Attendance at lectures and seminars (at least 80%)
• Participate in two assignments individually and in groups between lectures
• Four reflective logs during the semester

Credit reductions