MUS 126(C) - Rock and Pop Music in America

Credit(s): 3
MassTransfer Block Code: Humanities/Fine and Performing Arts
Contemporary genres of American popular music are affected by multicultural, political, social, and technological developments. This course will explore the origins of current styles of popular music. We will focus on the music itself, and discuss how it has influenced and been influenced by aspects of American culture, how it reflects cultural identity and experience, and how its evolution is tied to changes in American society. It will integrate analysis of the historic, sociopolitical, and cultural forces which shape the experiences of all Americans, and will emphasize interlocking race, gender, and class perspectives whenever applicable for analyzing musical works. Assignments will involve listening, reading, writing, and music and text analysis. No previous music experience is required, other than an interest in popular music.

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