Music 220 - TOPICS IN WORLD MUSIC

Topics course. This course focuses on twentieth century African popular music; it examines musical genres from different parts of the continent, investigating their relationships to the historical, political and social dynamics of their respective national and regional origins. Regional examples like highlife, soukous and mbaqanga will provide the basis for assessing the significance of popular music as a creative response to the colonial and postcolonial environment in Africa. Themes explored include the use of music in the construction of social identity and the interaction of local and global elements. No prerequisites. Maximum enrollment 30 students.

Topic: African Popular Music.