Dr. James Davies

Professor

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Biography

James Q. Davies is a historian specializing in musicology with a focus on the intersection of music and environmentality, particularly during the long nineteenth century. He earned his PhD from Gonville & Caius College as a Research Fellow, exploring microhistorical themes in his work. His publications include books such as 'Musical Souvenir: London 1829' and 'Sound Knowledge: Music Science London,' as well as co-editing 'Creatures of Air,' which examines the historical relationship between music and air in the context of Euro-US industrialism. In addition to his scholarly contributions, Davies is deeply invested in mentoring students across a diverse range of dissertation topics encompassing Afro-Brazilian performance, acoustic design, and historical sound practices. He teaches numerous courses at the University of California, Berkeley, centering on music history, environmental studies, and the politics of sound. His academic work has appeared in various prestigious publications, cementing his role as an influential voice in the field of musicology.

Research Interests

Courses

Music 200B (Introduction Scholarship) Music 70 (Music History) Music 170 (Music & Environment) Music 179 (Voice) Music 220 (Sound Reproduction Ecologies) Music 220 (Material Romanticism) Music 220 (Political Anatomies Voice) Music 220 (19th-Century Sound Tech) Music 128A/AM (Opera)

Requirements for University of California, Berkeley

Doctorate Program
Requirements
GPA Requirement
Required:3
GRE Subject
Overall Score
Required:500
Overall
Required:500
TOEFL
Total
Required:90
IELTS
Overall
Required:7
Prerequisites
Bachelor's degree or recognized equivalent Preparation comparable to undergraduate major at Berkeley in Mathematics or Applied Mathematics 2 full years lower-division work (Calculus, Linear Algebra, Differential Equations, Multivariable Calculus) 8 one-semester upper-division courses (Real Analysis, Complex Analysis, Abstract Algebra, Linear Algebra)
Application Checklist
  • Graduate Application
  • Statement of Purpose
  • Personal History Statement
  • Three Letters of Recommendation
  • Unofficial Transcripts
  • C.V./Resume
  • Course and Textbook List
Specialization Notes

The Mathematics Subject GRE is required for the Fall 2026 admissions cycle. General GRE is optional.