Course Instructor: Shara Rambarran - 8sr15@queensu.ca
In Summary:
A survey of important trends in 20th century Western popular music. Topics include genres, individual artists and groups, record labels and stylistic trends, and sociological issues.
Course Highlights:
-
This course offers a unique way of appreciating popular music. Apply further meaning to music by analyzing its historical and socio-cultural contexts.
-
Students will think about why popular music plays such a significant role in the following: personal/social situations, identities, cultures, political events, work, leisure, nostalgia and more.
-
Develop your debating and critical thinking skills as you discuss songs, artists, songwriters, producers, and audiovisuals with your classmates.
Course Information:
A survey of important trends in 20th century Western popular music. Topics include genres, individual artists and groups, record labels and stylistic trends, and sociological issues.
This course is designed to engage students to learn about the developments of popular music. Initially focusing from the 1950s to current trends, there will also be an insight on earlier eras in which other forms of popular music was heard.
Learning Outcomes:
By the end of this course as successful student will:
- Understand the musical stylistic features of significant styles and genres (such as Blues, Rock, Pop, Soul, Reggae, Dance, Hip Hop, Electronica) by referring to artists, musicians, performance, recording industry and technology.
- Develop their musical knowledge by understanding the events, issues or intertextual aspects that contributed to popular music.
- Gain an insight to popular culture, social, cultural and critical theory—otherwise known as popular musicology.
- Learn the appropriate analytical and musical vocabulary to question the authenticity, identity and performativity of a performer.
- Be able to participate in the topics discussed, and share their personal taste in music by offering a critical judgement or evaluation via debates, presentations and written work.
Experiential and Active Learning Opportunities:
Examples of previous EAL opportunities for this course include, a Rock & Roll walking tour of Soho, a guest lecture by Dr Mike Dines, co-founder of the Punk Scholars Network and trips to attend gigs including: The Feeling, Krs-One, Maxi Priest, Aswad, Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry, George Clinton and The Family Stone.
Prerequisites and Exclusions:
Prerequisite None.
Course applicable to the following Majors/Medials/Minors:
MUSC (core) / MUTH (core) / LIBS (option) / Con-Ed Teaching Subject (History).