American Music (online) (3 credits)
FAM2006-001; Online, asynchronously
FAM2006-002; Online, asynchronously
Breadth of Knowledge Areas: FA Fine Arts, HP Historical Perspectives
An online history of music in America c. 1620 to the present. Musical life as we experience it in the USA today is the product of a history that is in many ways unique, but never far from world-wide influences. This course surveys a wide variety of music along with the social, political, and religious movements that have shaped American musical life right up to the present. Examines the contributions of numerous cultural groups, regional developments over four centuries, and the ways music reflects values, aspirations, and problems of the population. Course topics include musical genres, styles, personalities, and trends. Musical examples, discussions, quizzes, and videos are all online. No prior experience with music required.
Disney Animated Musicals (3 credits)
FAM2090-001: (Online, asynchronously)
Breadth of Knowledge Areas: FA Fine Arts
This course explores the genre of the animated film musical with a special emphasis on its presumed originator, the Walt Disney Studios. We will consider the unique expressive properties of this form, examining the ways in which both song and the animated medium distort, rearrange, and reflect the world for its audiences. As we trace the genre's history and evolution from the earliest experiments with sound technology to the latest multi-billion-dollar franchises, we will simultaneously track shifting trends in popular song and film. This history will run alongside discussions of Disney's complex and often problematic roles as a purveyor of American and global entertainment.
Experimental Rock 60s&70s (3 credits)
FAM2013-001; (Online, asynchronously)
FAM2013-002; (Online, asynchronously)
Breadth of Knowledge Areas: FA Fine Arts, TI Technology & Innovation
This course will provide a detailed overview of the tools, techniques and musical styles which had a tremendous impact on the aesthetic of various genres of Rock Music in the 1960s and 70s, the resonance of which can be observed in many mainstream and non-mainstream musical trends of the last 30 years. It will begin with an examination of multi-tracking tape machines: their development and techniques such as sound on sound, tape-delay and flange, which had become standard practice in studios by the late 1960s. This is followed by a technical overview of electronic instruments, specifically the synthesizer, whose development will be traced from the Theremin. Musical trends such as the 1950s avant-garde and Minimalism will serve as a bridge to examinations of seminal bands such as the Beatles, Pink Floyd, Kraftwerk, Can, Neu:, Brian Eno and the Talking Heads among others; the technical knowledge gained from the initial lectures on tape techniques and electronic instruments will be used to gain a deeper understanding of the music of these artists.
Fundamentals of Music for Non-Majors (3 credits)
FAM1100-001; (Monday/Wednesday/Friday; 2:30-3:25 p.m.)
Breadth of Knowledge Areas: FA Fine Arts
The appreciation of music is enhanced by a deeper knowledge of musical materials and structures. This introductory course will focus on reading and writing music in treble, bass, and C-clefs; using rhythms as complicated as triplets in simple and compound meters; recognizing intervals and chords; and understanding basic forms used in popular and classical music. The skills learned in this course will provide the basis for further study and understanding of music of all genres.
Grateful Dead
FAM2093-003(Online, asynchronously)
The Grateful Dead are one of the most long-lived and ever-changing bands of the 20th century. Throughout their 30-year career, this counter-culture icon created more than just music. The Grateful Dead insistently explored new ways of creating music, culture, and experience. This course will examine the musical landscape, the culture revolution, the unique relationship with their fans, and philosophy the Grateful Dead cultivated through their “Long Strange Trip.”
Hamilton: A Musical Theatre Revolution (3 credits)
FAM2075-001; (Online, asynchronously)
Breadth of Knowledge Areas: FA Fine Arts, SCE Society, Culture, and Ethics
Lin-Manuel Miranda's musical, "Hamilton," has been credited as revolutionary and a game changer in the history of the American musical since its off-Broadway opening in 2015. This course explores the revolutionary aspect of this musical, covering song and plot conventions of musical theater as they appear in musicals from the 1920s to the present and investigating how Miranda employs, challenges, and transforms them in "Hamilton." We will also consider Hamilton among other "history musicals," its relationship with popular music (especially hip-hop and socio-political issues of race and ethnicity derived from Miranda's choice to offer a multi-racial cast.
HipHop
FAM2093-004(Online, asynchronously)
Breadth of Knowledge Areas: FA Fine Arts
This course is designed to critically evaluate the artistic, social, political, and economic impactof Hip-Hop Culture.Hip Hop Culture, from its inception as a hyper-regional and even intimate form of creativeexpression, has grown to become an interconnection of art forms with global reach. As aninterdisciplinary art and a billion-dollar industry, Hip Hop has experienced a series ofconceptions and misconceptions informing its existence. Like many art forms before it, HipHop has been commodified and subsequently disconnected from its essence resulting in bothbroad appeal as well as inauthentic representation. In true Hip Hop fashion, however, thisdichotomy has been “remixed” to produce arguably, the most accessible and equitable artform created in the last century, though at a cost.
History of Rock n Roll (3 Credits)
FAM2011-001; (Tuesday/Thursday, 2-3:20 p.m.)
Breadth of Knowledge Areas: FA Fine Arts
Rock and Roll had humble beginnings in the Southeastern United States, but over time it developed into a force, beyond mere entertainment, that has defined youth culture on a global scale. Rock and roll culture is embedded in the fabric of youth identity. Rock and roll music is a commodity that young people use daily, often with an obsessive devotion. Marketing campaigns that target youth are so relentless that young people are under enormous media and social pressure to join the ranks of consumers. The goal of History of Rock and Roll is, therefore, threefold: 1. To provide for students a chronological survey that examines the relationship between the music, its most successful and colorful artists, the associated recording technology, and the impact of the genre on American culture. 2. Through critical listening and reading, the course will provide students with useful, evaluative tools so that they can make historically informed and thoughtful decisions about the music they select and enjoy. 3. Finally, the course will encourage students to seek and appreciate new styles, and perhaps inspire those who seek a career as a pop music artist. No prerequisite.
Influential Female Vocalists
FAM2093-005;(Online, asynchronously)
Breadth of Knowledge Areas: FA Fine Arts
This course recognizes and explores the music of influential female vocalists of the 20th and 21st centuries. We will trace music history and its genres through the study of each musician’s life and works. Music genres covered include, Musical Theatre, Pop, R&B, Singer-Songwriter, Jazz, Performance Art and Classical. Through discussion, we will consider the impact each musician has had on the music industry and on society. Musicians we will study and listen to include: Judy Garland, Barbra Streisand, Bernadette Peters, Beyoncé, Whitney Houston, Aretha Franklin, Carole King, Joni Mitchell, Ella Fitzgerald, Nina Simone, Yoko Ono, Meredith Monk, Marian Anderson, Leontyne Price, Maria Callas and Renée Fleming.
Intro to Songwriting
FAM2093-006(Monday; 4:30-7:20 p.m.)
Breadth of Knowledge Areas: FA Fine Arts
This course will provide students with the knowledge of the basic craft used in songwriting.They will learn to analyze common chord progressions with basic harmony, and two anappreciation for what makes an excellent lyric and melody. A portion of the class will be used for studying the history of the best of Popular Song from Stephen Foster through the Beatles, Bob Dylan and on to contemporary writers like Taylor Swift. Several top songwriters' works will be examined to provide insight into what made their songs successful.
Music Appreciation (online) (3 credits)
FAM2005-001; Online, asynchronously
Breadth of Knowledge Areas: FA Fine Arts, SCE Society, Culture, and Ethics
An online course that introduces students to a wide range of music in the Western World, covering several historical periods, including our own time. Examines musical styles, musical terms, composers, and other aspects of the music listening experience. Considers the historical and cultural context of musical activity and the way it has shaped the musical life from medieval Europe up to the present in our own communities. Students will discuss their own experiences with music and have the opportunity to attend a musical performance of their choice, near where they live, for class credit. Musical examples, discussions, quizzes, videos, and film are all online. No prior experience with music required.
Music and Politics (3 credits)
FAM2018-001 (Online; asynchronously)
Breadth of Knowledge Areas: FA Fine Arts
This course examines the impact of music onpoliticsduring the last 100 years in the contemporary classical realm, as well as folk and popular musical styles. Students will become familiar with prominent politically influenced musicians and composers such as Fela Kuti, Woody Guthrie, Bob Marley, and Frederic Rzewski. Also, this class will cover the impact on music from major political and historical events throughout the century, such as World War II's influence on jazz, or the life and career of Dmitri Shostakovich under Stalin's Soviet Union. By studying the biographies and major works of this broad spectrum of musicians, students will be able to outline the diverse characteristics of politically oriented music.
Music of the Beatles (3 credits)
FAM2061-001; online
FAM2061-002; online
FAM2061-003; (Tuesday/Thursday, 12:30-1:50 p.m.)
Breadth of Knowledge Areas: FA Fine Arts, SCE Society, Culture, and Ethics
The Music of the Beatles has made an impact in the whole world both musically and sociologically. The Beatles are considered one of the most influential bands of any era. Their music reflects the cultural and social revolution of the 1960s and serves as a model for understanding all subsequent popular music. This class will chronologically trace the development of the Beatles from their early days through the band's dissolution. There will be analysis of selected compositions with regard to lyrics, harmony, song structure, instrumentation, and arranging. This class will examine their groundbreaking production techniques, individual writing styles, and the impact of their music on other musicians and social trends.
Music of Woodstock (3 credits)
FAM2070-001; Online, asynchronously
Breadth of Knowledge Areas: FA Fine Arts, SCE Society, Culture, and Ethics
The course thoroughly examines the musical artists and the works they performed at history's most iconic pop music festival, Woodstock (officially the "Woodstock Music and Art Fair"). As many as half a million people or more, descending on a dairy farm in upstate New York in August of 1969 for "three days of peace and music," were treated to a wildly diverse lineup of musicians and artists hailing from no less than five different continents. The Woodstock Festival is the perfect prism through which to view the 1960s popular scene, when various streams of musical genres converged to forge a new breed of "pop"; the soundtrack of the counterculture and a young, idealistic generation. How did a music festival, let alone pop music in general, become a catalyst for social, political, and artistic change and upheaval? How was the motley assortment of musicians of various stripes, genres, genders, and ethnicities received by the crowd, temporarily the fourth-largest city in New York? How did this crowd co-exist and survive without virtually any of the realities that plague a similar-sized urban center? These are just a few of the many questions posed in this course as we study and—equally as important—savor and experience the musical performances of the 1969 Woodstock Festival.
Jazz Appreciation (3 credits)
FAM2051-001; (Tuesday, 6-8:50 p.m.)
Breadth of Knowledge Areas: FA Fine Arts, SCE Society, Culture, and Ethics
A one semester overview of America's true art form: jazz. The course will introduce students to the various styles of jazz, its major performers, its history and origins, and will also involve attending jazz performances at CCM or elsewhere.
Sound Meditations (1 credit)
CCMS1010-001 (Mondays; 12:20-1:40 p.m.)
This course will provide students with an introduction into mindfulness and expressive meditation techniques using modern electronic music production, and various other instruments and noise makers. Additionally, this course will explore creativity blocks, emotional intelligence, and leadership through the use of group discussion, and an expressive sound meditation. This course is designed to create space to explore themes relevant to CCM and Non-CCM students. Pedagogy will be founded in the idea of improving concentration ability by developing a meditation practice that leads to insight and self-realization. Each week students will participate in this expressive sound meditation, explore a different theme (creativity block, emotional intelligence, and leadership) and be encouraged to authentically share any insight after the meditation. Collaboration, sharing, openness, and mindfulness are all necessary requisites for success in this class.
Taylor Swift
FAM2093-002:(Online; asynchronously)
Breadth of Knowledge Areas: FA Fine Arts
Study the music and lyrics of singer-songwriter, Taylor Swift, as we discuss her impact on the past, present, and future of popular music in America.
Topics Pop Music: (3 credits)
Taylor Swift
FAM2093-001:(Online; asynchronously)
Breadth of Knowledge Areas: FA Fine Arts
Study the music and lyrics of singer-songwriter, Taylor Swift, as we discuss her impact on the past, present, and future of popular music in America.
What’s Hot in Popular Music (3 credits)
FAM2062-001; online
Breadth of Knowledge Areas: FA Fine Arts
This online course examines current popular music in its trending styles and genres. Students will critique selected songs from the weekly "Billboard" charts and various other media resources, including You Tube and digital download statistics, and consider both the hottest artists as well as promising up-and-comers. Students will develop skills for evaluating artistic intent with respect to lyrics, some basic literary techniques, melody, harmony, rhythm, song form, and psychology, and with a look at cutting edge production techniques. Students will identify and compare unique composing and performing styles of today's artists and identify links between the music business and societal trends. Weekly activity will include reading, viewing, and listening to examples online and completing assignments on Canopy. No prerequisite. No textbook.
