Spring 2023  |  AFRO 3301 Section 001: The Music of Black Americans (68591)

Instructor(s)
Class Component:
Discussion
Credits:
3 Credits
Grading Basis:
A-F only
Instructor Consent:
No Special Consent Required
Instruction Mode:
In Person
Class Attributes:
UMNTC Liberal Education Requirement
Meets With:
MUS 3301 Section 001
Times and Locations:
Regular Academic Session
 
01/17/2023 - 05/01/2023
Tue, Thu 08:00AM - 09:15AM
UMTC, West Bank
Ferguson Hall 225
Enrollment Status:
Open (13 of 25 seats filled)
Also Offered:
Course Catalog Description:
This course examines the variety of ways African and African Americans express social history through music. It will consider the union of African elements and European elements that combined to present a new syncretized African-American product. To do this it is imperative that we explore the diversity of musical "voices" found within the African American culture. This diversity can be seen in the struggles to retain African cultural effects and the desire to be eclectic, creative, and contemporary. Such an approach to the study of the place of Black music in American music corresponds with the criteria of Diversity and Social Justice in the United States Liberal Education. The "multi-layered operation of power, prestige, and privilege" can be understood through an examination of the music of African Americans, which represents both a Free African voice and an enslaved African voice; the western-trained Black performer/composer and the self-taught performer/composer. It also represents the habits of well-to-do African Americans and the poor African Americans. Students will examine the complexities of the history of African Americans and how this is played out in the development of musical styles and genres. From this, students will then begin to understand how this unique diversity within a community affects those outside of those communities. Such an approach to the study of the place of Black music in American music corresponds with the criteria of Diversity and Social Justice in the United States Liberal Education. We will follow elements found in West African culture and music such as "call and response" and the "2nd Line" as they travel to the "New World" and expressed through Spirituals, Symphonies, Gospel Music, Jazz, Rock and Roll, Step Bands and more. Through lectures, readings, discussion, audiovisual examples, and homework assignments student can expect to gain a deeper understanding of the ways music both reflects and influences the social history of a
Class Description:
This course studies the genres and styles which define African-American music. Distinct musical elements found in African cultures such as "call and response" and the "2nd Line" will be traced from the continent to the United States where they give birth to Spirituals, Music in the Western Art Music tradition, Gospel Music, Jazz, various expressions under the heading of Rock and Roll, and Marching Bands. Through lectures, readings, discussion, audio visual examples, and homework assignments students can expect to gain a deeper understanding of the ways music both reflects and catalyzes the social history of not only African Americans, but of all American. Additional topics of study include the commodification of African American ethnicity and cultural appropriation.
Who Should Take This Class?:
This class should be of interest to students of history, politics, culture, or music.
Learning Objectives:
By the end of this course, you should be able to:
1. Describe musical performances using musical terminology
2. Associate the musical genres impacted by African/African-Americans with the social history of all people of the United States
3. Critically reflect on issues regarding the music of Black American
4. Compare and contrast genres of music in the United States influenced by African/African Americans
5. Listen critically to music of the United States influenced by African/African Americans identifying musical elements that show
African/African-American influences
6. Identify key players in the development of the musical styles and genres of Black Americans (primary genre/style, instrumentation, and unique contributions.)
Grading:
20% Midterm Exam
20% Final Exam
30% Written Homework
10% In-class Presentations
10% Class Participation
Exam Format:
Multiple choice,True-False, Matching and Essay
Class Format:
audio_visual presentations, lecture, discussion of readings.
Workload:
20-30 Pages Reading Per Week
Textbooks:
https://bookstores.umn.edu/course-lookup/68591/1233
Instructor Supplied Information Last Updated:
4 January 2018

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