FAMU 214 - Black Music History

Credits: (3)
Acknowledging the current ubiquity of black music in popular music circles this course seeks a broad overview of the history of black music. Through examining the repertoire from objective, historic, and cultural perspectives the esthetic wonder of black music is revealed. This course will examine narratives of black identity and culture while emphasizing the historic characteristics and tendencies of African music making. The course will teach listening skills, research methods and narrative construction. The survey seeks to relate styles of the African diaspora including Afro-Cuban, stride, early jazz, rock, Motown, soul, funk, concert music, reggae, ska, electo, rap and hip-hop.