MUSIC 250
Topics in Music and Culture

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Ralph Russell, instructor (On leave 2003-2004)
Lecturer in Music
(641) 269-4916, Bucksbaum 256
russell@grinnell.edu

 

Course Description:

This course will closely examine how the texts and music of blues, gospel, rap and other genres reflected the Black American experience. From slavery to the Civil Rights Movement, music had become an invaluable disseminator of political and social ideals through which Blacks voiced their opinions and views about racism, gender and identity. However it must also be noted that these genres were also a means of creating a sense of community through language, performance practices, history, struggle and heritage. We will therefore discuss relevant and recurring themes (e.g. liberation, gender, family, race etc.) that have pervaded African American sacred and secular music. This course will particularly focus on three periods; slavery, the Harlem Renaissance and the Civil Rights Movement.