Performance in Popular Culture.

Catalog description

This course will study the development of popular music and its African American roots and heritage. The study begins with the remnants of African musical traits that survived slavery and traces them through blues, ragtime, jazz, blues and rhythm and blues, and on into rap and hi-hop and other movements. The discussion will focus on the musical traits of each, the relationship to African American popular music, and the societal effects on the music as well as the music’s effect on society. Open to non-majors.