American Popular Song: A History

Catalog description

The class will survey the major developments in American songwriting from the Civil War to the present, with a focus on storytelling in song, the historical development of song, and critical listening as a means of understanding a song's meaning and cultural significance. Students will be introduced to many styles of songwriting, including Folk, Broadway, Tin Pan Alley, Rock, and Hip Hop. The question "What makes a hit?" will be addressed through song analysis. Fulfills Core requirement(s): Visual and Performing Arts (VPA).