Information Package
baskent.edu.tr

Program of American Culture and Literature (English)

ACL274

AMERICAN CULTURE AND MUSIC

Course Code
ACL274
Semester
-
Theory+Practice
3 + 0
ECTS
4
Course TypeElective Course
Course LevelBachelor's Degree
Year of Study-
Semester-
ECTS4
Name of Lecturer(s) -
Learning Outcomes

At the end of this course, the students;

  1. Distinguish between the characteristics of different styles of music.
  2. Survey the development of American music and its influence on American culture.
  3. Evaluate genres of American music from a broader cultural framework including issues of race and gender.
Mode of DeliveryFace to face
PrerequisitesNo
Recommended Optional Programme Components
Course DescriptionThis course offers a survey of the dynamics in American society that have led to the development of mass consumer culture, particularly as it relates to the rise of popular music. This survey traces popular music styles from the start of the twentieth century, including ragtime, Dixieland, swing, bebop, rhythm and blues, rock and soul, and culminates with the 1980s transformations like funk and hip hop. Students will use this foundation to generate studies of various musical styles and to analyze contemporary performances.
Course Contents
WEEK TOPICS
1st Week Introduction to the course and overview of the syllabus
2nd Week Lecture: Colonial American Music, American Music and its characteristics until the 19th century, European influences
3rd Week Early African Rhythms and Music
4th Week Ragtime, Syncopation, Jug Bands
5th Week Dixieland, Delta Blues
6th Week Instructor on Conference Leave, No Class
7th Week Chicago Blues
8th Week Midterm Examination / Instructor on Conference Leave
9th Week Blues in Perspective (Different Subgenres of Blues)
10th Week Rhythm and Blues
11th Week Birth of Jazz
12th Week Swing Era Jazz
13th Week Bebop and Late Jazz
14th Week Funk & Soul
15th Week Rap, Hip Hop, R&B
16th Week Wrap-Up
Recommended or Required ReadingHoloman, Kern. Writing About Music, 2014.
Malone, Jacqui. Steppin on the Blues: The Visible Rhythms of African American Dance, U of Illinois P, 1996.
Kubik, Gerhard. Africa and the Blues, 2008.
Springer, Robert. Nobody Knows Where the Blues Come From, 2005.
Ulanov, Barry. A History of Jazz in America, 1955.
Weissman, Dick. Blues, Routledge, 2004.
Planned Learning Activities and Teaching Methods
  • Lecture
  • Discussion
Assessment Methods and Criteria
Quantity Percentage (%)
Mid-term 1 40
Project 1 20
Total(%) 60
Contribution of In-term Studies to Overall Grade(%) 60
Contribution of Final Examination to Overall Grade(%) 40
Total(%) 100
ECTS Allocated Based on Student Workload
Activities Quantity Duration (Hour) Total Workload (Hour)
Midterm exam 1 2 2
Preparation for Quiz
Individual or group work 14 3 42
Preparation for Final exam 1 10 10
Course hours 14 3 42
Preparation for Midterm exam 1 10 10
Laboratory (including preparation)
Final exam 1 2 2
Homework 1 6 6
Article Presentation 1 6 6
Total Work Load120
Total Work Load / 30 (h)4
ECTS Credit of the Course4
Language of InstructionEnglish
Work Placement(s)No

Programme Qualifications / Learning Outcomes

LO1 LO2 LO3
K1 X X X
K2 X X
K3 X X X
K4 X X X
K5 X X
K6 X
K7 X X
K8 X X
K9 X X X
K10 X X X
K11
K12 X X X
K13
K14 X X X