Reggae music is an international sensation that instantly conjures images of Jamaica. During the Golden Era of Reggae (late 1960-mid/late 1970s), the music’s raw lyrics and revolutionary spirit stood as a simultaneous source of contention and intrigue as the Jamaican government tried to market the island paradise to tourists. Since this time, reggae and its culture (real and imagined) have come to represent the island while becoming a point of reference for subcultures such as mods, skinheads and dancehall queens, as well as many types of electronic music. This course looks at the influence and uses of reggae and dancehall cultures for representations of difference throughout the globe. It also explores the idea of music as a form of mass communication and social practice.