ENGL 151-13, First Year Writing Seminar: Twentieth Century American Music and Politics, Fall 2011

Abstract

This course will focus on the development of critical thinking and writing skills through the study of the American political culture and its affect on the music, composers, and entertainers of the twentieth century. The student will consider twentieth-century American music by analyzing and listening to political songs, music surrounding the wars, protest music, and music stemming from the civil rights movement as well as examine the contribution of the American taxpayer toward the development of art music. Students will be expected to express their own views both about the music being studied and the larger question of the role of music and art in democratic society.