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 healthcare and society at large. Music therapy is an officially approved and increasingly widely practiced profession, and music therapy methods and perspectives are in demand in both healthcare 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. In addition to attending to these issues, the course also addresses how music can be used as self-therapy to regulate emotions, cope with the challenges of everyday life and feel better with oneself, as well as serving as a positive opportunity for strengthened societal sense of community and inclusion through choirs, bands or other types of musical activities.

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 about how music has helped people. You will also undertake a practical exercise going out into 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 MUSV6003 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 and concepts
• 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 MUSV6003 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. Both lectures and seminars will be interactive with practical exercises and group work. In addition, practical, mandatory assignments are given between sessions, in groups and individually. This involves three reflective journals and up to two assignments individually and in groups.

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.

Attendance is mandatory and requires a minimum of 80% attendance.

Compulsory assignments

• Satisfactory participation in compulsory instruction
• Reflective journals
• Assignments between lectures

Credit reductions