What is Critical World?
How does Critical World work?
Why does Critical World look like this?
How can I use Critical World in my teaching?
Is it possible to submit material to Critical World?
Does Critical World have a peer-review process?
How can I get involved in Critical World?
Where are your offices located?
What is Critical World?
Critical World is a virtual research laboratory that explores the relationship between globalization and music. As a web-based experiment in project-oriented teaching and research, Critical World provides resources for critical engagement with the products of global culture and creates a space for debate about the role of globalization in our everyday lives.
[top]
How does Critical World work?
Critical World is a database that manages different types of media (images, videos, texts and sound). The visible part of this programming makes it possible for users to consult more than one type of media at a time and to mix and match media on a given topic in completely novel ways. What is not visible is a custom-designed administration panel that allows us to add and modify content without having recourse to html or other types of code. This means that we can be more responsive in terms of updates, suggestions and other forms of feedback.
[top]
Why does Critical World look like this?
In order to call attention to the problematic nature of the opposition between “tradition” and “modernity”, Critical World has a visual aesthetic that constantly reminds us of how the two are intertwined. This aesthetic is manifested through the mixture of earth tones with the mostly black background or the mixture of silver or chrome with wood (such as the djembe on the home page). Through the marriage of these two elements—wood and metal—we have attempted to create a particular atmosphere for surfing and thinking: relaxing but a little bit sinister, minimalist but layered. The time we have invested in designing this atmosphere was important because Critical World is not just a place to find information, it is supposed to be a place where people come and spend time doing things, and in order for this to happen people have to feel at home. Edward Said argued that estheticism, especially by anthropologists, always runs the risk of missing the political mark (see Said’s 1989 article in Critical Inquiry “Representing the Colonized: Anthropology’s Interlocutors”, vol. 15, Winter). Aesthetics, however, reflect ideas also, and in this sense they are valuable not intrinsically but for what they reveal about the person controlling their content. What does the Critical World aesthetic suggest to you about the ideology behind this project? If you would like to respond to this question, please send an email to info@criticalworld.net.
[top]
How can I use Critical World in my teaching?
Though Critical World is primarily intended for university-level instruction, it can also be used in other educational settings. Assuming that you have access to a video projector and an internet connection, projects can be presented as units in themselves, or if you prefer, some part of a project can be used to complement other material being presented in class. If the project you are teaching involves an area of your expertise, and if you have material that you would like to add or contribute, it is relatively easy for us to add your material to the project. This saves you the trouble of having to prepare the material, and seeing your material with other sources on the same topic could be a source of motivation for students in your class. Professors and students can also participate in a particular project by sending a written response to the author of the project via the react window that is located in each project. In some cases it might also be possible to organize a group of students to research and compile a research project on particular topic of interest. In this situation, the professor acts as the liaison between the students and Critical World, and plays an editorial role in the project before it is sent out for review. We are currently considering the possibility that certain classes be broadcast on-line, but this requires some development in the area of teleconferencing technology. We encourage your suggestions and ideas about how Critical World can be used (or has been used) in the classroom: please contact us at info@criticalworld.net.
[top]
Is it possible to submit material to Critical World?
Critical World accepts original submissions from researchers, teachers, students and artists. Contributions can take the form of original artwork, photography, sound of various types and texts or reviews. If you have ideas for adding material to a particular project, or for creating a totally new project, please do not hesitate to contact us: info@criticalworld.net.
[top]
Does Critical World have a peer-review process?
All proposals submitted to Critical World will be evaluated by at two members of the editorial board (for more information click here ) the identity of the evaluators as well as the identity of the contributor will remain anonymous. Based on the evaluators’ response, the proposed project will be accepted without revisions, accepted with revisions or refused. Given the fact that text is not supposed to occupy a special position in relation to the other three media, contributors to Critical World often list their projects as multi-media installations, or online e-publications.
[top]
How can I get involved in Critical World?
Propose a project
Projects can be proposed by anyone interested in participating in Critical World. Because the project has a research mission, your proposition will be reviewed before being accepted, but there are members of our team who can work with you to develop your ideas and ensure that they correspond to the format and criteria of Critical World. For more information about how to put together a project for Critical World, click here or send an email to info@criticalworld.net.
Become a contributing artist
We are always looking for people who would like to contribute original media-based content. This may include original photography, artwork, sound recordings, or texts. If you think that your work would fit nicely with the themes set forth in Critical World, click here for more information or send an email to info@criticalworld.net.
Propose a conversation
We are currently working on teleconferencing technology that will enable us to hold live teleconferences involving participants from anywhere in the world. All that will be required is a good internet connection and a web-cam. If you have an idea for a debate, roundtable, or panel discussion, or would like to broadcast an interview or conversation with an important personality from your region, contact our conversations editor at conversations@criticalworld.net.
Represent your local “world music” scene
In the “Scenes” menu , you can see examples of different places in the world that have their own world music scene. If you know about the local scene in your city or in your country and would like to present some of its favorite venues and/or artists, we can help you organize your material in the form of a project with short texts, images, video and sound. If you have limited computer or audio-visual expertise, our production team in Montreal can help you with the technical side of the project. To learn more, contact our scenes editor at scenes@criticalworld.net.
Propose a record or concert review
We strongly encourage multi-media reviews of albums, concerts, and other arts-related projects or performances. In other words, reviews can take the same form as other projects created for Critical World; for some examples click here. You can consult with our production team if you need help preparing the different media. If you would like to contribute a review of this type, contact our reviews editor at reviews@criticalworld.net.
Tell the story of your musical life history
Through writing about individual influences and family-based listening practices, many people are able to piece together parts of their musical life history. This is a process that is not always easy or pleasurable, but it is often enlightening in terms of our assumptions about ourselves and the world around us. If you would like more examples of this exercise, click here. For more information, contact Bob White at bob@criticalworld.net.
Propose an annotated Bibliography
In addition to complete annotated bibliographies, you may want to simply contribute individual references or sets of references. Our webography editor is constantly looking for references that have to do with world music, globalization and the political economy of music and other forms of expressive culture (click here for an example). If you have references that might be relevant, or an idea for an annotated bibliography that could take the form of a project, contact our webography editor at webography@criticalworld.net.
[top]
Where are your offices located?
Located on the third floor of the Pavillon Lionel-Groulx in the central section of the Université de Montréal campus, the Critical World offices house include 4 workstations, a couch and blackboard for creative group brainstorming, and the only functioning window in the entire building.
Critical World’s offices were decorated by the first “Core” of Critical World (Marcel, Nelson, Charles, Marc and Alexandrine). Marcel chose the blue, which he swears has nothing to do with the official color of the university. During most weeks of the school year (September – May), there is generally someone in our offices during regular office hours between Tuesday and Thursday. If you would like to visit our offices, click here to get information about how to contact us by email or by phone.
[top]
|
