MUS-1120 Survey of American Popular Music

Credits 3
This course is a survey of the evolution of American popular music. Genres like jazz, blues, latin, country, and rock styles, along with the contributions of important performers, and musical techniques involved in the creation and performance of blues-based music are explored. This course introduces students to the history of American popular music as it evolved in the United States. Students discuss the historical and societal issues that have influenced the various developments within the genre and sub-genres of the music.
Prerequisite(s): None
Course Outcomes

Describe the sound characteristics produced by American artists performing popular music.
Discuss similarities and differences between musical styles with appropriate musical vernacular.
Describe a musical artist’s integral contribution to the evolution of popular music.
Compare and contrast musical recordings to examine their stylistic makeup.
Discuss how the different ways playback devices/internet impacted music consumption.
Describe how historical and societal events have impacted the development of popular music styles.