21M.294 | Spring 2005 | Undergraduate

Popular Musics of the World

Course Description

This course focuses on popular music, i.e. music created for and transmitted by mass media. Various popular music genres from around the world will be studied through listening, reading and written assignments, with an emphasis on class discussion. In particular, we will consider issues of musical change, syncretism, …
This course focuses on popular music, i.e. music created for and transmitted by mass media. Various popular music genres from around the world will be studied through listening, reading and written assignments, with an emphasis on class discussion. In particular, we will consider issues of musical change, syncretism, Westernization, globalization, the impact of recording industries, and the post-colonial era. Case studies will include Afro-pop, reggae, bhangra, rave, and global hip-hop.
Learning Resource Types
Written Assignments with Examples
Photo of Lamine Toure performing on the sabar.
Lamine Touré performing on the sabar, with his band Group Saloum. (Photo courtesy of J. P. Candelier. Used with permission.)