MUSC 620 Music in America

American music encompasses an enormous variety of styles in which popular culture runs parallel to that of “high art” for most of the 20th century, resulting in a tradition that is both unique, when contrasted with the European tradition, and culturally inclusive. As an overview of the influences of music in American culture, this course focuses on several specific musical styles and the cultural and social environments in which they developed. This course provides perspective on music in the American experience, and establishes a historical framework for evaluating music as a source of cultural influence. Beginning with a survey of Colonial music in New England, the course continues through discussion of two genres—blues and jazz—which come out of the African American experience. Consideration is given to the influences of these music styles on culture and the church. Also discussed are topics that go to the heart of American rural musical traditions, such as folk and bluegrass. The course focuses on the music through its stylistic markers, historical context, structure, social significance, and cultural impact.

Textbook readings and lecture presentations

No details available.

Course Requirements Checklist

After reading the Course Syllabus and Student Expectations, the student will complete the related checklist found in the Course Overview.

Discussions (7)

Discussions are collaborative learning experiences. Therefore, the student is required to submit a thread in response to the provided prompt for each Discussion. Each thread must be at least 250 words and demonstrate course-related knowledge. In addition to the thread, the student is required to reply to 2 other classmates’ threads. Each reply must be at least 100 words.

The student will write a lesson plan in current Turabian format with outline, lecture content, and handout/worksheet that articulates key features of Native American music and what musical elements are traceable to other music styles in the American experience. The student will provide four musical examples of influence and incorporate a worldview discussion that explores the key differences between the beliefs expressed in Native American music and those rooted in a Christian worldview.

Essay Assignments (3)

The student will write seven 800–1,000-word papers in current Turabian format that detail an analysis and/or reflection in response to questions posed about specific authors, songs, genres, or periods. The essay assignments are as follows:

• Essay: Colonial Music Assignment
• Essay: Jazz and the Blues Influence Assignment
• Essay: American Music Influences Assignment

The student will create a PowerPoint lecture presentation of 10 or more slides and a bibliography. The lecture will explore the origins of influences on 20th century American classical music trends. The presentation should include an explanation of how music can both influence and be influenced by other expressions of culture in America and should connect at least three styles, genres, or cultural influences on different musical genres. The student will connect his or her discussion to the Christian worldview in crafting the lesson.

The student will create a visual/interactive flow chart or graph that maps and differentiates the musical features and social history of country music and bluegrass music. In the chart or graph, the student will indicate key features of these styles that are derived from earlier US or global traditions. For each point on the flow chart, the student will list an artist and song example along with a URL link that demonstrates the characteristics of that point.

The student will write a professional music critic review of 800–1,000 words of a popular music performance similar to what you might find in a Pitchfork or Rolling Stone feature. This can be for a live popular music group performance, or of a video of at least 30 minutes in length (URL required) of one popular music group.

Research Paper Assignment

This assignment will be completed in 3 parts:

Topic Submission Assignment

The student will choose one recent trend in American music of the last 20 years and trace the influences on its development back to the 19th century or early 20th century. The topic must be clearly articulated with a thesis statement. The student will provide a rationale for researching this topic.

Outline and Bibliography Assignment

The student will complete an outline and bibliography in current Turabian format, with at least 10 references.

Final Assignment

The student will write a minimum 11-page research-based paper in current Turabian format on his or her topic, including at least 10 references.