Course Objectives: This course provides a history of the growth and development of American popular music, principally through the genres of the Broadway Musical, Country and Western music, Jazz (the Swing Era), and Rock. The roll of the music industry, an integral part of all three genres, will also be considered, as will changes in the technology of music production and transmission.

Required Text: These is no required text for the course. Supplemental reading, including investigation of internet sites relating to course topics, and listening will be assigned.

Attendance and Other Expectations: Students are expected to attend class sessions, participate in discussions and class activities, and familiarize themselves with the material as presented. Attendance will be taken but it will note directly affect your grade. Occasional in-class assignments or quizzes make it advantageous to attend. Also, good attendance and participation may help with "borderline" grades.

Grading: The final grade for the semester will be based upon:

• mid-term exam (30%).
• final exam (30%).
• 2 concert reviews (10% each).
• a final project (20%).

Letter grades will be assigned based on the following percentages:

• 92-100 - A
• 90-92 - A-
• 88-90 - B+
• 82-88 - B
• 80-82 - B-
• 78-80 - C+
• 72-78 - C
• 70-72 - C-
• 68-70 - D+
• 62-68 - D
• 60-62 - D-
• less than 60 - failing

The material for the two exams will come from class listening, lecture and discussion, assigned readings, and some outside viewing or listening. The exams will combine objective (i.e., multiple choice, true/false, matching, fill in the blank) with essay-style questions.

Caveats: The instructor reserves the right to modify the syllabus as necessary to meet the needs of the class.

Dates and Possible Topics:

• 8/19 - introductory material; definitions of folk, pop, and art music
• 8/26 - minstrelsy & vaudeville
• 9/2 - Academic Holiday
• 9/9 - Tin Pan Alley; the Blues
• 9/16 - the Musical
• 9/23 - the musical cont'd; "hillbilly music"
• 9/30 - the Bristol Sessions; review for midterm
• 10/7 - midterm exam
• 10/14 - Academic Holiday
• 10/21 - honky-tonk, Western Swing, Nashville and beyond
• 10/28 - ragtime, the Swing Era
• 11/4 - the 50s-Rhythm 'n' Blues, Rock 'n' Roll, the "Teen Market"
• 11/11 - the 60s; surfers, folk, the British Invasion, Psychedelics, and more
• 11/18 - Motown, Stax/Volt, funk, and soul
• 11/25 - the 70s and 80s - progressive rock, disco, punk, MTV, and the rise of the superstars
• 12/2 - the 90s - alternative and "indie" rock, the boy bands, the internet, and the future of pop music; final projects and 2nd concert review due;
• 12/9 - final exam

"Disability Statement:"
If there is any individual in this class who is in need of academic accomodations and who is registered with the Office of Services for Individuals with Disabilities, please make an individual appointment with the course instructor to discuss accomodations. Upon individual request, this syllabus can be made available in alternative forms. If any individual is not registered with the Office of Services for Individuals with Disabilities but has need of academic accomodations, please contact the Office directly either in person on the first floor of the Turley House or by telephone at (859)622-1500 V/TTY.

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