Afro-American Studies 151 - Literature & Culture

Relevant forms of Black cultural expressions contributing to the shape and character of contemporary Black culture; the application of these in traditional Black writers. Includes: West African cultural patterns and the Black past; the transition-slavery, the culture of survival; the cultural patterns through literature; and Black perceptions versus white perceptions. (Gen.Ed. AL, U)

This course is open to students in the Literary Perspectives RAP program. AFRO-AM 151-03
See https://www.umass.edu/rap/literary-perspectives-rap

Have you ever considered the relationship between words (lyrics, poems, texts, etc.) and music (styles, instruments, venues, etc.) and the connection to what is happening in the world and the changes in our culture? In this course we will investigate questions such as: Why do so many blues songs mention trains? What is the origin of the theme of "keepin it real" in hip-hop? How does one get "funky"?

All these questions interrogate the aesthetics of Black music. To put it more simply, these questions are concerned with how these genres of Black music are distinct from each other.

Specifically, we will be exploring four major Black aesthetics: (1) the blues, (2) jazz, (3) funk/soul, and (4) hip-hop.

For each aesthetic, we will explore the music within the historical context of when it came to be. In addition to the music, we will also read texts that have been defined by one of the mentioned aesthetics.

In summary, in this class we will explore this idea through the lens of Black music. A unique trait of Black music involving aesthetics is that the Black genres usually have a literary sphere connected to them.