AMST 271 - Popular Music in the United States

(4) Staff (GER 4A, 5)

This course addresses popular musical expression in the continental United States from a historical and cultural perspective. In addition to exploring representative types of music such as traditional, folk, sacred and dance music, ragtime, blues, jazz, rock and country as well as musical traditions associated with immigrant groups and global music networks, students will have the opportunity to examine these musical traditions critically by focusing on particular eras, regions, themes or groups of artists.This course treats the traditions of vernacular musics in the United States, specifically those commonly known as religious, popular, folk, jazz, rock, and country. It will survey the literature of these musics expression and consider questions of cultural meaning. (Cross listed with MUSC 271 )