Browsing by Author "Robinson, Jeffrey Eric."

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Darwinizing the philosophy of music education.
(2011) Robinson, Jeffrey Eric.; Akuno, Emily Achieng'.
Educational philosophy generally and the Philosophy of Music Education in particular have been slow to consider in any real depth the findings of those sciences most concerned with explaining human nature, that is, the attributes (capacities, aptitudes, predilections, appetites) we have in common because we share the same genome, much of which we also share with other species. There are several such sciences which may collectively be called Darwinian Science in that they all take as axiomatic Darwin‘s explanation for how life evolves according to the law of natural selection – a simple, mindless and purposeless algorithm that has played out for over four billion years and which continues to do so, driving not only biological evolution but, as this study argues, cultural evolution as well. Evolutionary Psychology (including Biomusicology and Evolutionary Aesthetics), Cognitive Neuroscience and Gene- Culture Coevolution Theory are the overlapping fields that this study draws from in developing an understanding of the adapted mind useful for engaging with questions germane to the Philosophy of Music Education, principally those concerning the nature and value of music and how best it should feature in general education. These are questions that have not hitherto been addressed from a Darwinian perspective. This study develops such a perspective and applies it not only to questions around music‘s educational values and possibilities, but to more encompassing philosophical questions, wherein the goals of music education are made accountable in relation both to Dewey‘s ideal of society as a function of education, and to an ecozoic vision of a sustainable planetary habitat of interdependent and interconnected life forms.
Jazz education for post-apartheid South Africa.
(2001) Thusi, Nhlanhla Brian.; Robinson, Jeffrey Eric.
This essay has two primary purposes: (1) to make a case for jazz education and (2) to suggest ways in which jazz education can more prominently and profitably feature in post-Apartheid South African education. Justifying jazz education and determining how it can best fit into South African education both require a clear conception of what jazz education is in its various forms. Thus, the essay begins by attempting a holistic definition of jazz education as education in, about, and through jazz followed by a systematic consideration of the many and varied educational outcomes jazz education is capable of achieving. Thereafter, an overview is presented of jazz education as it presently exists in South Africa. Employing criteria derived from the essay's discussions, South African jazz education is evaluated and suggestions are made for how it can be further developed.
Profiling an intermediate phase music educator in the context of the South African national curriculum and outcomes based education.
(2004) Dipnarain, Julie Louella.; Robinson, Jeffrey Eric.
The primary intention of this study is to develop a profile of the kind of educator that is needed for effective music education in the Intermediate Phase. Obviously, the primary framework necessary for such a study is the national curriculum with its Outcomes Based Education (OBE) underpinnings. From these outcomes, the principal criteria for determining the necessary qualities ofsuch a teacher may be derived. While the logic of this is straightforward, the process of translating outcomes into specific competencies is not Each outcome, be it one of the overarching and highly general Critical Outcomes or one ofthe more specific outcomes for the learning area, has to be 'unpacked' so that what it demands ofthe teacher may be comprehensively revealed and articulated. An attempt to profile a music educator in this context logically begins with these general competencies. They provide the basic template for developing profiles of educators in any and allleaming areas and sub-fields. Inferring specific teaching qualities and competencies in a specific learning area involves being informed by a broad and critical knowledge of pedagogical developments in the specific learning area that are consistent with OBE precepts. OBE, in various ways and to varying degrees, informs recent curricular developments in many countries and account must be taken of the more salient of these, in developing a profile for an Intermediate Phase music educator in South Africa. Thus, a crucial and important task for this study is to synthesize from current readings and dialogues, criteria according to which the intended profile can be credibly developed.
Psychosocial factors influencing participation in school music : the case of a typical former model C boys' high school in Durban, South Africa.
(2009) Smythe, Cindy Christine.; Robinson, Jeffrey Eric.
This short dissertation presents a case study of eleven students from a typical former 'Model C' single sex high school in Durban South Africa. At the time of the study, 2006, these were the only students who were actively availing themselves of the school's limited opportunities for studying and making music. The school, which shall remain anonymous, is shown to typify a psychosocial environment that is at best indifferent to active musical participation and, at worse, hostile to it. The study investigates how the attitudes towards, and the perceptions of, music involvement at the school emerge as stereotypical ways of thinking that are counter to the interests of its learners. This case study, supported by two questionnaires completed by peers and parents, and informed by the researcher's experience teaching Music at the school, generated conclusions from which explanations for the general reluctance of adolescent males to engage in specific kinds of school-based musical activities have been attempted. Informing the analysis and interpretation of the data is Erik Erikson's Theory of Psychosocial Development as it pertains to the psychosocial characteristics of adolescent males and provides an explanation as to the extent to which social environments can influence the individual. A close reading of the subjects' responses helps in the articulation of the generally unspoken assumptions of 'muscular Christianity', the Victorian ethos that continues to dominate in schools such as the one that formed the focus of this study, and which is still pervasive in many if not most South African schools.
Towards a polyaesthetic approach to music education.
(1987) Robinson, Jeffrey Eric.
Taking as its central premise the contention that there are different ways of validly conceiving music's nature and value, this thesis aims to demonstrate the need for eclecticism in the formulation of a philosophy of music education. Comprising the main body of this study is an in depth consideration of four different aesthetic points: (i) music as autonomous aesthetic object; (ii) music as social commentary;(iii) music as social mediator; and (iv) music as llink to ultimate reality. The concluding chapter draws sane conclusions - as to what a 'polyaesthetic approach' implies in terms of music education's objectives, content and methods.