American Music

Catalog description

The course is an introductory, one-semester survey of American music, presented as three distinct yet parallel streams--folk, popular, and classical--that reflect the diverse character of the United States. Comparing and contrasting musical styles across regions and time that arise out of the history and musical traditions of the many immigrants to America will lead to a better understanding of both the diversity and the inter-relationships of the cultures that are a part of the American experience. This will be accomplished through a combination of reading, lecture, guided listening, projects, assignments, and class discussion.