Musical Cultures of the Caribbean: Sonic Reverberations of the Atlantic World

Catalog description

Over the past two decades, the study of Caribbean music has become increasingly crucial to discussions of diaspora, modernity, race, gender, sexuality, and identity politics in the Atlantic World. This course addresses these topics by surveying major Caribbean musical genres in relation to their historical development and social contexts, including aspects of globalization, digital media, and popular culture. Students will develop skills to listen to, identify, describe, and discuss various Caribbean musical styles and performance techniques. The topics and readings will raise important questions about how sonic practices articulate, challenge, and/or transform diverse notions and imaginaries about the American landscape as well as forms of belonging with African, South Asian, and other diasporas.