A cultural/sociological history of pop music in the USA. Musical antecedents (blues, country, rhythm and blues) and outside influences (African drumming, Latin rhythms, folksingers) will be included, but the focus will be on the pop music of this period. The music will be addressed within the context of societal issues such as racism, conformity, generational conflict, governmental repression and censorship. This class my include students from multiple sections. (Humanities, Elective)
Course Outcomes
- Identify recorded examples of popular music by year, personnel, geographic origin and genre.
- Comprehend the broad “family tree” of American popular music in detail and in general.
- Explain how popular music helped to integrate America during the early days of rock’n’roll.
- Explain the effect of race relations on the musicians and on the business of popular music.
- Comprehend the role of federal and state governments in the area of artistic censorship.
- Comprehend the positive and negative influences of popular music on intergenerational conflict.
- Recognize the many cultural influences on American popular music (blues, gospel, country music, rhythm and blues, Latin dance forms, Native American philosophies, Eastern religion, gay culture and disco/raves, Asian influences on techno/dance music).