Why do humans derive so much pleasure from music? What is the role of culture in shaping our responses to music? How do ideas about musical pleasure vary in different geographical and historical contexts? This seminar will explore anthropological and aesthetic approaches to music, pleasure and the emotions. We will look at music from the US and around the world, ranging from Sufi mysticism and Congolese dance music to Pentecostal praise songs, punk solidarity, and Turkish pop. We will consider issues of public vs. private emotions, morality and taboos, religious ecstasy, love and intimacy, and music as pain, as well as insights from music cognition and psychology in understanding how music affects us.