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Selected Topics in Music Literature for Non-Majors (175-0-2)

Topic

Music of the African Diaspora

Instructors

Diego Pinto

Meeting Info

RCMA Lower Level 121: Mon, Wed 6:00PM - 8:30PM

Overview of class

This course is designed to explore various music cultures born among African peoples and communities forcibly dispersed during the Transatlantic Slave Trade and their descendants. Some of those music genres and rhythms will include Brazilian samba reggae, Colombian currulao, Jamaican mento, and African American spirituals. The course aims to address the musical, historical, cultural, and social contexts of each music culture being featured. Students will actively engage in learning by reproducing musical elements of each culture through movement, singing, and playing instruments. Previous music experience is neither required nor expected.

Learning Objectives

As a result of the successful completion of this course, students will:
• Recognize basic musical elements through attentive and engaged listening
• Identify the main music features of the music traditions studied
• Describe the historical, cultural, and social contexts of the music traditions studied
• Articulate similarities between the music traditions across the diaspora, when applicable

Class Materials (Required)

None required for purchase. Assigned reading, listening, and other materials will be available on CANVAS.

Class Attributes

Literature and Arts Foundational Discipline
Literature & Fine Arts Distro Area
Face to face: In person, in campus space