MUSI 005. U.S. Pop Music History

A survey of American popular music from the late 19th century to the present day based on discussions of individual case studies of music, musicians, and genres in the context of American history. Emphasis is on understanding musical developments with respect to American race and gender relations, structures of musical production, youth cultures, urban and rural musical cultures, immigration and emigration, war and violence, audiences and reception, and fan communities. Topics include blackface minstrelsy, tin pan alley, early blues, crooners, rock ‘n’ roll, girl groups, the “British Invasion”, heavy metal, glam rock, divas, hip hop, file sharing and iTunes, social media, and live performances vs. studio recording.
Humanities.
1 credit.
Catalog chapter: Music and Dance: Music
Department website: http://www.swarthmore.edu/music

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