Document Type
Syllabus
Publication Date
Fall 9-1-2024
Course Description
Music plays a vital part in every culture in the world as well as in our own lives. This First-Year Seminar will delve into how music works in society and the roles it plays in constructing personal and cultural identities. We will explore historical and cultural factors that have influenced musical composition and performance over the past 1,000 years. For example, we will consider how musical traditions shape cultural memory and identity, with case studies including West African Djeli (Griot) tradition, Tuvan throat singing, and American pop music; how popular music and dance styles around the world have upheld and subverted gender norms; and how music has been used in political movements. We will explore music as a personal, cultural, and political force that both unites and divides. You will develop the skills to listen more deeply, to write and speak fluently about music and life, and to reflect on music’s roles in your lives and identities. No previous musical experience or ability to read music notation is necessary for this course.
Recommended Citation
Harbert, Elissa, "MUS 197A FYS: Music, Identity, and Culture Harbert Fall 2024" (2024). All Course Syllabi. 809, Scholarly and Creative Work from DePauw University.
https://scholarship.depauw.edu/records_syllabi/809
Student Outcomes
Upon passing this course, you will be able to… Use critical skills to investigate music as a cultural force that has played many powerful and diverse roles in social life and history around the world. Employ basic musical vocabulary to interpret and describe music and begin to recognize how musical elements communicate meaning. Express greater awareness of the music in your life, what it means, and how it influences you. Draw on a knowledge base that will enhance your continued exploration of new music and expand your musical tastes in the future. Communicate more clearly in writing, presentations, and conversations. More skillfully reflect on and evaluate your learning as both process and product, cultivating a growth mindset.