MUS 130 - American Popular Music

Description
This course is a survey of genres of American popular music beginning with an examination of sources of popular styles, and then following the development of American popular music through current musical styles. The discussions include folk, blues, gospel, country, jazz, musical theater, popular song, rock, and more. No musical background is required.

Credit Hours: 3
Contact Hours: 3
Prerequisites/Other Requirements: None
English Prerequisite(s): None
Math Prerequisite(s): None
Course Corequisite(s): None
Academic Program Prerequisite: None
Consent to Enroll in Course: No Department Consent Required
Dual Enrollment Allowed?: Yes
Number of Times Course can be taken for credit: 1
Programs Where This Course is a Requirement:
None

General Education Requirement:
Humanities
General Education Learner Outcomes (GELO):
2. Communication: Demonstrate effective communication through listening, speaking, reading, or writing using relevant sources and research strategies, 4. Cultural Competence: Understand diverse interpersonal and cultural perspectives through analysis of scholarly or creative works
Course Learning Outcomes:

Students will be able to identify and explain the development of historical sources of American popular music. (GELO2)
Students will be able to identify and explain how various technologies influenced the development of American popular music throughout its history, and give context to the current and future effects of technology on music and society. (GELO2)
Students will be able to identify and explain various ethnic, cultural, and economic influences and their importance in the development of American popular music. (GELO4)
Students will be able to compare and identify similarities and differences in musical styles of American popular music and suggest cultural, economic and sociological possibilities for the causes of these similarities and differences. (GELO4)
Know and use active listening skills.
Complete work accurately, with attention to detail.

Course Outline:
Getting Started

Lesson 1 - American Popular Music in the Nineteenth Century

Lesson 2 - Tin Pan Alley and Ragtime

Lesson 3 - Rural Blues and Urban Blues

Lesson 4 - Dixieland

Lesson 5 - Swing and Big Bands

Lesson 6 - Broadway and the Development of the American Musical

Lesson 7 - Hillbilly and Country and Western Music

Lesson 8 - Traditional Pop in the 1940s and 1950s

Lesson 9 - Doo-Wop and Rhythm and Blues

Lesson 10 - Early Rock and Roll

Lesson 11 - Rockabilly

Lesson 12 - Teen-Styled Rock Music in the Early 1960s

Lesson 13 - The Record Producer and the Rise of Surf Rock

Lesson 14 - Soul

Lesson 15 - The British Invasion

Lesson 16 - American Reactions to the British Invasion

Lesson 17 - Bluegrass

Lesson 18 - Folk and Folk Rock

Lesson 19 - Psychedelic Rock

Lesson 20: Midterm Exam

Lesson 21 - Country Rock and Southern Rock

Lesson 22 - From Soul to Funk

Lesson 23 – Funk

Lesson 24 - Country Music Goes Mainstream

Lesson 25 - Hard Rock and Heavy Metal

Lesson 26 – Disco

Lesson 27 - Punk Rock and New Wave

Lesson 28 - Detroit Techno

Lesson 29 – MTV

Lesson 30 - Heavy Metal in the 1980s

Lesson 31 - Hip-Hop’s Roots and Origins

Lesson 32 - Hip-Hop Comes of Age

Lesson 33 - The Rise of Alternative Rock

Lesson 34 - Alternative and Metal in the 1990s

Lesson 35 - Hip-Hop in the 1990s

Lesson 36 - Hybrids and Genres Without Definition

Lesson 37 - Country Music in the 1980s and 1990s

Lesson 38 - Popular Music and Controversy After 9/11

Lesson 39 - Music Creation and Distribution in the 21st Century

Lesson 40 - Conjunto Music

Lesson 41 - Mexican American Popular Music

Approved for Online and Hybrid Delivery?:
Yes
Instructional Strategies:
Lectures and Readings: 10-50%

Videos and Recordings: 10-30%

Group Discussion and/or Discusssion Board Postings: 30-40%

Live Performances and/or Videos of Concerts: 5-10%
Mandatory Course Components:
Students will have quizzes and/or exams over material that is presented in the class.

Students may have presentations on appropriate topics for this class.

Students will write papers on concerts and/or other assigned topics.
Equivalent Courses:
None

Accepted GRCC Advanced Placement (AP) Exam Credit: None
AP Min. Score: None
Name of Industry Recognize Credentials: NA

Course prepares students to seek the following external certification:
No
Course-Specific Placement Test: None
Course Aligned with ARW/IRW Pairing: IRW 98, IRW 99

Mandatory Department Assessment Measures:

Course Type:
General Education- Offering designed to meet the specific criteria for a GRCC Distribution Requirement. The course should be designated by the requirement it fulfills.
Course Format:
Lecture - 1:1
Total Lecture Hours Per Week: 3
People Soft Course ID Number: 104644
Course CIP Code: 50.09
Maximum Course Enrollment: 25
School: School of Liberal Arts
Department: Music
Discipline: MUS
First Term Valid: Fall 2019 (8/1/2019)
1st Catalog Year: 2019-2020
Faculty Credential Requirements:
Master’s Degree (GRCC general requirement)
Faculty Credential Requirement Details:
Master’s in Music with interest and knowledge in a variety of musical styles

Major Course Revisions: General Education Review
Last Revision Date Effective: 20220213T20:05:25
Course Review & Revision Year: 2026-2027