- History of African American Gospel Music (Majors/Minors)

Catalog description

This course will explore the historical development of African-American gospel music in the 20th Century. The course will began an examination of the pre-gospel era (pre-1900's-ca 1920), move on to gospel music's beginnings (ca. 1920's), and continue onto the present. The course will explore the musical sociological, political and religious influences that contributed to the development of the various gospel music eras and styles. Through class lectures, demonstrations, music listening, reading and writing assignments, students will learn about the significant musical and non-musical contributions of African American gospel artists and the historical development of African American gospel music. Students will also strive to gain an understanding of the African American musical aesthetic and to determine how it is retained and expressed with African American gospel music and other musical genres. The class is open to students, staff and faculty of all levels.