African American Soundscapes

Catalog description

This course presents a chronological overview of the primary genres of African American music, from antebellum formations to current manifestations. Bringing together music analyses and ethnography, privileging the music-maker's voice, this course yields a rich tapestry of African American culture and history. Topics explored include genre classification, musical features, and the aesthetics of style; oral vs. written traditions; musical transformation and representation; and inter- and intra-cultural interactions. Central themes addressed throughout the course include issues of race, class, identity, authenticity, gender, and meaning.