Course overview
A survey of popular music of the Rock era. This course considers the stylistic, socio-cultural, economic, and technological aspects of popular music. Greatest attention is given to the stylistic evolution of popular music from the late 1950s (birth of Rock and Roll) through the end of the century (end of the Golden Age of Recording). Genres covered include Rhythm and Blues, Rock and Roll, Folk Rock, Country, The Beatles/British Invasion, Motown and Soul, Progressive Rock, Metal, Funk, Disco, Punk, Rap/Hip-Hop, Grunge, Alternative, Electronic Dance Music, Avant-Garde Rock and Mainstream Pop. The first part of the course looks at the pre-cursors of Rock-era music including Anglo-American Folk and early Blues. The latter part of the course samples artists and styles in the digital era of the past two decades, with emphasis on the impact that changes in technology and business practices have had on both the creation and consumption of popular music.
Course learning outcomes
- Understand and appreciate the historical, socio-cultural, and music-stylistic trends of English language popular music of the rock era, as well as of selected earlier popular forms which contributed to the development of music of the Rock era
- Recognise the aural, textual and visual components of a substantial representative number of styles and specific songs of this period
- Demonstrate aural awareness and critical listening skills through assigned- and in-class listening
- Understand the intrinsically linked cultural, technological, and economic underpinnings of popular music
- Demonstrate ability to communicate about popular music in its stylistic, lyrical, or media context, through written description