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MUSIC IN AMERICAN SOCIETY |
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MUSIC IN AMERICAN SOCIETY |
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When the graduate program in Education was first established I was asked to create a Music appreciation course as one of the Liberal Arts Enrichment offerings. I told Dr. Cosiano that I was not interested in doing a typical music appreciation course, however, I did indicate that I could provide graduate education students the same type of experience through a course in American Music. My reasoning was that one of my areas of expertise as a researcher was American Music, and I felt the audience for this course would find the American emphasis to be rewarding.
Over the years my suggestions have proved correct. The course became very popular and most of the students who took it were amazed at how much they learned. They particularly liked the fact that they knew more about about American Music than their music specialists. In this course we will trace the development of music in the New World from Columbus to the present. As we do this we will study all types of music. We will look at the three major ethnic groups who have most influenced American Music (Anglo-Americans, Afro-Americans and Hispanic-Americans), we will observe how the various social changes that took place during the turn of the century (1800s into the 1900s) created new musical sounds and forms (esp. emigrant Jewish musicians and their influence on popular music and music theatre), and we will observe how technological developments have affected our awareness of and appreciation for various types of music.
You will find that your background in music (whether strong or not) will find a place in the course. You will learn how to listening to music in creative and informative ways, and, maybe most importantly, you will learn a great deal about American History. Especially given the situation in which the country finds itself today I think it is not a bad thing to review how America has become the country it is today. I hope you will join me in this journey. It is also my hope that you as a student will find the course informative, challenging and, most importantly, enjoyable.
To learn more about the class click on any of the following links.
| About the Instructor |
| Course Description |
| Short Syllabus |
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