Major Authors and Texts (312-0-2)
Topic
John Cage
Instructors
Ryan Dohoney
ryan.dohoney@northwestern.edu
Office Hours: Email instructor to arrange a meeting.
Meeting Info
Deering Library 200: Fri 9:00AM - 11:50AM
Overview of class
This course explores the music, writing, and collaborations of John Cage (1912-1992) through archival materials held in Northwestern University Library's Special Collections. It will introduce students to the rich historical documentation held on site as well as develop students' skills using archival material. The course will focus largely on John Cage's collaborations with other musicians and artists including Merce Cunningham, David Tudor, Robert Rauschenberg, Jasper Johns, Morton Feldman, Cathy Berberian, Joan La Barbara and Charlotte Moorman. The class will meet in Deering Library 200 and is limited to 15 students. Familiarity with music notation is helpful but not required.
Learning Objectives
Students will gain deep knowledge of John Cage's musical life, his impact on culture, and his cultural networks. Students will also gain hands-on experience working with primary source materials and develop skills doing original research in archives.
Teaching Method
Lecture, workshop, discussion, original archival research
Evaluation Method
Participation and original research
Class Materials (Required)
None
Class Notes
This course is an intensive research course and will require considerable time outside of classtime in the McCormick Library of Special Collections. Please note that their hours are M-F, 9-4:30pm.
Class Attributes
Advanced Expression
Literature and Arts Foundational Discipline
Literature & Fine Arts Distro Area