MUS 422 - Music of the African Diaspora

(3 units) CO10, CO11, CO13

Music of the African diaspora in the Americas. Explore how: African-inspired modalities influenced music-making by tracing specific rhythms and musical forms as they traveled between Africa, the Caribbean, South America, North America, and back again; how the music has enacted “freedom dreams” in the face of colonial and post-colonial systems of oppression; how African-inspired musics continue to inspire joy, creativity, and Pan-African ties. (GRI 422 and MUS 422 are cross-listed; credit may be earned in one of the two.)

Maximum units a student may earn: 3

Prerequisite(s): General Education courses (CO1-CO3) completed; at least 3 courses from CO4-CO8 completed; Junior or Senior standing.

Grading Basis: Graded
Units of Lecture: 3
Offered: Every Spring

Student Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:
1. demonstrate and apply empathy and cultural sensitivity to the study of diverse musical cultures globally.
2. analyze the historical and cultural conditions under which a diverse range of music is made.
3. apply the study of diversity in historical contexts to the understanding of diversity in contemporary contexts.
4. develop an independent research project in which they synthesize their knowledge of Africana studies, Caribbean studies, and music studies into an analysis of a specific case study.

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