[ Wesleyan Home Page ] [ WesMaps Home Page ] [ WesMaps Archive ] [ Course Search ] [ Course Search by CID ]
Academic Year 2005/2006

African Presences II: Music in the Americas
MUSC 266 SP
Crosslistings:
AFAM 251
AMST 214
LAST 264

This course will explore the diversity and full range of musical expression in the Americas--with a focus on musics in which there is a strong African historical or cultural presence--by immersing ourselves in a combination of extensive reading, listening to recordings, viewing videos, discussion, and in-class performances. The hemisphere as a whole will be briefly surveyed and regional traits will be explored, but emphasis will be placed on specific pieces, genres, and countries.

MAJOR READINGS

Paul Austerlitz, MERENGUE
Chang and Chen, REGGAE ROUTES
Peter Manuel, CARIBBEAN CURRENTS
Elizabeth McAlister, RARA!
McGowan and Pessanha, THE BRAZILIAN SOUND
Mintz and Price, BIRTH OF AFRICAN-AMERICAN CULTURE
Robin Moore, NATIONALIZING BLACKNESS
Stephen Stuempfle, THE STEELBAND MOVEMENT
María Teresa Vélez, DRUMMING FOR THE GODS
Other articles and book chapters

EXAMINATIONS AND ASSIGNMENTS

Final term paper. Two quizzes plus midterm and final exams. Occasional short weekly writing assignments.

COURSE FORMAT: Lecture/Discussion

REGISTRATION INFORMATION

Level: UGRD    Credit: 1    Gen Ed Area Dept: HA MUSC    Grading Mode: Graded   

Prerequisites: NONE Links to Web Resources For This Course.

Last Updated on MAR-30-2006

Contact wesmaps@wesleyan.edu to submit comments or suggestions. Please include a url, course title, faculty name or other page reference in your email

Copyright Wesleyan University, Middletown, Connecticut, 06459