COURSE DESCRIPTION

This introductory course presents a general survey of music history, genres, styles and media. The course focuses on analytical listening and developing aesthetic awareness. It includes an introduction to library research tools in music, and examination of the interrelationship of music studies and general education, and the integration of faith and learning with the study of music.

This course is a survey of American popular music from the nineteenth century to the present day. Beginning with studies of Minstrel Shows and Tin Pan Alley, the course traces many major developments in American popular music, such as rock and roll, country music, soul, funk, disco, punk rock, and hip-hop. All course materials will be accessed electronically.

**Please note that some of the material in this course contains explicit content that may be offensive. These works are presented as explorations of artistic practices and are not intended to offend and/or shock.

COURSE LEARNING OUTCOMES

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

• Identify musical works and specific musical features of American Popular Music

• Situate popular music into a broader context of the history of the United States of America

• Assess the relationship between popular music and culture

• Examine how social and cultural events influence and may be influenced by popular music

REQUIRED TEXTS AND RECOMMENDED STUDY RESOURCES

- All course materials will be accessed electronically though Canvas.

ASSESSMENT AND GRADING

Grades will be based on the following:

A | A  93-100 | A- 90-92 |

B | B+ 87-89 | B  83-86 | B- 80-82 |

C | C+ 77-79 | C  73-76 | C- 70-72 |

D | D+ 67-69 | D  63-66 | D- 60-62 |

F | Less than 59 |

Quizzes: (13 @ 20 pts.) (Syllabus Quiz @ 5 points): 265 points.

Throughout the session, students must complete 13 timed quizzes. The quizzes will contain multiple-choice, matching, true-false, and listening identification questions based on the week’s lecture materials, reading, and music. This will include an additional five-point syllabus quiz. Quizzes will be completed on Canvas. Any technological issues with the quizzes must be resolved promptly, as they will not excuse late or missed quizzes. Quizzes will be available from Sunday of the assigned week and are due by midnight on the Sunday following the corresponding lessons.

Responses: (27 @ 5 pts.): 135 points

Each student is expected to be familiar with each week’s assigned listenings, readings, and viewings before class to contribute meaningfully to discussions. Toward the end of each class session, students will be asked to respond to a survey asking for a key takeaway from the class material that impacted their understanding of the weekly topic.

Written Assignments: (6 @ 25 pts.) 150 points

Throughout the semester, students will be required to write six essays in response to a given prompt related to the course material. These essays should thoroughly discuss the main issues of the topic and offer a strong interpretation based on compelling evidence. Each essay must be at least 250 words long, well-written, with accurate spelling, grammar, and a logical flow of ideas.

*It is recommended that you type up your response using a word processing program and save a copy for yourself. This will prevent any work from being lost in case of an internet connection failure

Midterm Exam: 100 points

The Midterm Exam will cover material from Chapters 1-19. The exam will have a 2-hour time limit and will include multiple-choice, matching, true-false, and listening identification questions based on lecture materials, readings, and music covered in the course.

Final Exam: 150 points

The Final Exam will cover the material in Chapters 21-43. The exam will have a 2-hour time limit and will include multiple-choice, matching, true-false, and listening identification questions based on lecture materials, readings, and music covered in the course.

Current Event Conundrum: 50 points

In this project, students will work in groups to research and present on a significant current music related event. Each group will select a relevant topic, analyze its background, causes, and impact, and conduct research using credible sources. Presentations will take the form of a 5-10 minute multimedia slideshow presentation, followed by at least one discussion question to encourage class participation. In addition to the presentation, each student must submit a completed group report outlining individual contributions, meeting times, and how responsibilities were divided and managed. A blank report template and sample report will be provided. Presentations will be scheduled throughout the term.

Literary Source Discussions: 50 points

Students will work in groups to research and present on an assigned Literary Source Reading posted on Canvas. Each group read the primary source and analyze its background, meaning, significance, and impact. Presentations will take the form of a 5-10 minute multimedia slideshow presentation, followed by at least one discussion question to encourage class participation. In addition to the presentation, each student must submit a completed group report outlining individual contributions, meeting times, and how responsibilities were divided and managed. A blank report template and sample report will be provided. Presentations will be scheduled throughout the term.

Concert Reports: (2 @ 50 points) 100 points

Students will attend a live concert at a local venue, whether it's a large arena show or a small DIY indie performance, and write a report that describes the concert experience. The reports should include a short bio of the performing band or artist, including their genre and background and should be 300 words each. Students will describe the instrumentation of the performers, performance style, audience interaction, and your overall thoughts of the show. It is highly recommended to attend concerts with your classmates. The report may be turned in at anytime during the semester but will be due the last day of the semester.

INCOMPLETES AND LATE ASSIGNMENTS

All assignments are to be submitted/turned in by the beginning of the class session when they are due—including assignments posted in Canvas. Incompletes will only be assigned in extremely unusual circumstances.

Late assignments completed after the due date will be penalized ten points per day. Assignments will close a week after the due date at which point no credit will be awarded.

*Please note: all due dates/times are PST (Pacific Standard Time)

AI STATEMENT

You are allowed to use Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools (e.g., ChatGPT, Gemini Pro 1.5, GrammarlyGo, Perplexity, etc) to generate ideas, but you are not allowed to use AI tools to generate content (text, video, audio, images) that will end up in any work submitted to be graded for this course. If you have any doubts about using AI, please gain permission from the instructor.

COURSE OVERVIEW

Class #1: Intro and Important Musical Terms & Issues in Contemporary American Pop Music

• In-Class Response - Class #1

• Syllabus Quiz

• Written Assignment #1

Class #2: American Popular Music in the 18th and 19th Century

• In-Class Response - Class #2

Class #3: Jan 21: Tin Pan Alley, Ragtime, and the Blues

• In-Class Response - Class #3

• Quiz #1

Class #4: Dixieland Jazz + Swing and Big Bands

• In-Class Response - Class #4

Class #5: Broadway and the American Musical + Traditional Pop in the 1940s and 1950s

• In-Class Response - Class #5

• Quiz #2

• Written Assignment #2

Class #6: Hillbilly and Country Western Music

• In-Class Response - Class #6

Class #7: Doo-Wop and Rhythm and Blues

• In-Class Response - Class #7

• Quiz #3

Class #8: Rock and Roll

• In-Class Response - Class #8

Class #9: Teen-Styled Rock Music, The Record Producer, and the Rise of Surf Rock

• In-Class Response - Class #9

• Quiz #4

• Written Assignment #3

Class #10: Soul and Motown

• In-Class Response - Class #10

Class #11: The Beatles

• In-Class Response - Class #11

• Quiz #5

Class #12: The British Invasion + American Reactions to the British Invasion

• In-Class Response - Class #12

Class #13: The Folk Revival and Folk Rock

• In-Class Response - Class #13

• Quiz #6

Class #14: Psychedelic Rock

• In-Class Response - Class #14

• Optional Epilogue to Psychedelic Rock

• *Extra Credit: Response to Epilogue to Psychedelic Rock

Class #15: Midterm

• Midterm Exam

Class #16: Country Music Goes Mainstream

• In-Class Response - Class #16

Class #17: Rock in the 70s

• In-Class Response - Class #17

• Quiz #7

• Written Assignment #4

Class #18: Funk Music

• In-Class Response - Class #18

Class #19: Disco

• In-Class Response - Class #19

• Quiz #8

Class #20: Punk Rock and New Wave

• In-Class Response - Class #20

Class #21: I Want My MTV & Heavy Metal in the 80s

• In-Class Response - Class #21

• Quiz #9

• Written Assignment #5

Class #22: Hip Hop

• In-Class Response - Class #22

• Quiz #10

Class #23: Alt Rock in the 90s

• In-Class Response - Class #23

Class #24: Hip Hop and R&B in the 90s

• In-Class Response - Class #24

• Quiz #11

Class #25: Country Music in the late 20th Century and After 9/11

• In-Class Response - Class #25

Class #26: The 2000s, Post 9/11 Rock and the Indie Boom

• In-Class Response - Class #26

• Quiz #12

Class #27: The 2010s

• In-Class Response - Class #27

Class 28: Issues in Contemporary American Popular Music Reprise

• In-Class Response - Class #28

• Written Assignment #6

• Quiz #13

Final Exam