Using the Golden Record as a conceptual and audio-visual starting point, this course will explore the history of civilizations and their musical practices, as well as their socioeconomic and cultural organizations.  The overall aim of this course is to survey the development of Western and non-Western civilizations, as well as the different ways in which musical practices are translated, transformed, adapted and/or adopted around the world.  The course also examines various forms of musical production and consumption, as well as changes in different musical styles and their significance within specific societies.  Some of the topics to be explored include musical identities; music, power and politics; music and gender; music technology, music consumption and distribution; globalization and localisation.