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History of Popular Music


Course Description

Rotating subjects in popular music, drawing upon a wide variety of influences and ethnicities. Course content will be drawn from such topics as jazz, Hispanic styles and influences, folksong, and American musical theatre.


Athena Title

History of Popular Music


Equivalent Courses

Not open to students with credit in MUSI 2040E, MUSI 2040H


Semester Course Offered

Offered fall and spring


Grading System

A - F (Traditional)


Course Objectives

Upon completion, the successful student will be able to: *Assess the commonality and diversity of the various cultures from different parts of the world that have contributed to American popular music; *Evaluate the impact and role of popular music in American history and society and its effect and influence in the larger global soundscape; *Analyze the multicultural/multicontinental roots of popular music in America; *Compare the music of other cultures to their own by tracing the world and ethnic roots and contemporary influences on American popular music(s).


Topical Outline

Main topics: *Multicultural/multicontinental roots of popular music in America; *Diverse religious traditions in American popular music; *Popular music in American history and society from the revolutionary war period to mid-twentieth century.


General Education Core

CORE IV: Humanities and the Arts

Syllabus