Music in the United States: The musical legacy of America is one as vibrant, complex, and multifaceted as the makeup of the country itself. Following an overview of the Indigenous peoples of the continent, the course begins with the music of the Spanish, French, and English colonizers in North America. It then follows the chronology of the United States from the Colonial period to the present, examining the music of its original inhabitants, enslaved laborers, settlers, immigrants, and citizens as it evolved and adapted with each chapter of our history. There is an equal focus on folk, popular, and art music styles. Alongside this history, we will contend with larger ideas as they relate to the course material including (but not limited to): the effects of colonialism on the music of Indigenous Americans; the role of music in establishing modes of American identity; American contributions to Western art music; the effects of technology and industry on the way we use music; and American music in the context of globalization. Learning outcomes: Develop an understanding of the musical history of the U.S.; identify the musical elements unique to jazz and the blues; contextualize the developments in both American folk/popular and art music within Western and global music histories at large.

Music in the United States: The musical legacy of America is one as vibrant, complex, and multifaceted as the makeup of the country itself. Following an overview of the Indigenous peoples of the continent, the course begins with the music of the Spanish, French, and English colonizers in North America. It then follows the chronology of the United States from the Colonial period to the present, examining the music of its original inhabitants, enslaved laborers, settlers, immigrants, and citizens as it evolved and adapted with each chapter of our history. There is an equal focus on folk, popular, and art music styles. Alongside this history, we will contend with larger ideas as they relate to the course material including (but not limited to): the effects of colonialism on the music of Indigenous Americans; the role of music in establishing modes of American identity; American contributions to Western art music; the effects of technology and industry on the way we use music; and American music in the context of globalization. Learning outcomes: Develop an understanding of the musical history of the U.S.; identify the musical elements unique to jazz and the blues; contextualize the developments in both American folk/popular and art music within Western and global music histories at large.