AMST/MUS 35A: Rock, Country and Hip-Hop: History of American Popular MusicInstructor: Taylor Ackley Prerequisites: Formerly offered as MUS 35a. Course Description: In this course students will examine the historical context, stylistic development, and cultural significance of rock and roll and other closely related genres, spanning from the birth of America popular music through the present. Close attention will be paid to how political and social changes have interacted with technological innovations through commercial music to challenge, affirm and shape ideas of race, gender, class and sexuality in the United States. Ultimately the goal of this course is to provide students with the vocabulary, analytical tools and historical background to understand the music they listen to encounter as people in the 21st century. While the course is structure as a lecture, class sessions will be participatory and will provide space for students to reflect on the music they hear and study in order to share their personal experiences and observations. </br>By the end of the course students will be able to:</br> • Engage in detail with the core musical characteristics of rock by analyzing its constituent elements (rhythm, form, pitch structure, instrumental texture, and vocal style).</br> • Recognize and identify important musical styles and artists by ear.</br> • Contextualize the role of rock music within U.S. history and society.</br> • Demonstrate knowledge of relationships among subcultures and subgenres within the rock music tradition.</br> • Build skills in effective writing about rock music and in appropriate modes of listening. Session: Extended Day: Online Asynchronous 10-week Time: Asynchronous Credit Hours: 4 Credits Course Format: 10-week Asynchronous Online format Brandeis Graduation Requirement Fulfilled: CA, OC Enrollment Limit: 20 students Course Classification: Undergraduate Level Course Course Tuition: $3,700 Course Fees: None Open to High School Students: Yes |
