A. GENERAL INFORMATION MUSIC DEPARMENT LONG BEACH CITY COLLEGE MUSIC OF MULTICULTURAL AMERICA MUSIC 35 Professor: Enrique Rios-Ellis, D.M.A. Office Hours: After class and by appointment e-mail: eriosell@csulb.edu Meeting Time: 12:30-1:45pm Tuesdays and Thursdays Meeting Place: G-122 Final Examination: 10:40am Tuesday, May 24 th B. COURSE DESCRIPTION This course will provide students a comparative and integrative study of the multicultural musical styles of the United States. The course includes the music of Native Americans, European Americans, African Americans, Chicano/Latino Americans, and Asian/Pacific Islander Americans, from their historical roots to the present. In addition, students will be exposed to the use of music in film and how various ethnic musical styles contribute to the significance of scene meaning. The primary objective of the course is to provide students with an understanding of how cultural, geographical, historical, political and socioeconomic factors have influenced the development of music among diverse subpopulations. The course will include identification of each ethnic group s unique history and experience in American culture and society; analysis of each group s special musical traditions from a technical and a cultural perspective; and sequential development of listening and descriptive skills through a variety of media including films, recordings, and live performance. Students will learn to recognize numerous styles of music including but not exclusively: Native American, Chicano/Hispanic, Anglo-American, Urban Folk Music, Country Music, African American Music, Blues, Jazz, Rock n Roll, Asian/Pacific Islander Music, Chinese Music, and Latino Music. In addition, through listening and learning rhythmic patterns, students will become familiar with the various meters and forms commonly utilized in the styles of music presented. Students are encouraged to participate throughout the course. Often the lack of information about culturally specific musical styles can be supplemented by the experiences and knowledge of a diverse spectrum of students. Topics will be addressed using lecture, discussion, films, guest performers, music listening and various experiential formats. In the process, students may discover some of the underlying aspects of their own musical talents. The course is also designed to provide you with support and cooperation in your own exploration of how various styles of music affect your life, and to facilitate your connection with the rich heritage of ethnic contributions to the musical arts. C. COURSE OBJECTIVES 1. Recognize the various styles of multicultural music. 2. Develop the ability to recognize diverse rhythmic structures that exist within the various styles of multicultural music presented in class. 3. Understand the influence of regional history on the development of various styles of multicultural music. 4. Understand the increasing popularity of different styles of multicultural music and the influence of changing demographic characteristics of the United States. 5. Understand the impact of various styles of multicultural music in film and the music's impact on film development. 6. Understand the impact of political movements on the development of various styles of multicultural music, specifically folk music, reggae and nueva canción. 7. Recognize the influential multicultural artists and their contributions to the development of ethnic music. 8. Develop a strong appreciation for the richness and diversity of multicultural music.
9. Develop the skills to critically analyze a musical performance. D. READINGS Required: Barkley, Elizabeth (2003). Crossroads: The Multicultural Roots of America s Popular Music. Second Edition. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall. E. REQUIREMENTS AND EVALUATION 1. Reading and participation 20% 2. Individual presentations 10% 3. Midterm examination 20% 4. Concert review 10% 5. Final Examination 20% 6. Four drop the needle pop quizzes (5% each) 20% F. EXPLANATION OF REQUIREMENTS 1. Reading and participation. Students are expected to maximize their class experience by attending all classes and participating on a regular basis. All course materials should be thoroughly read and prepared prior to coming to class. This component is worth 20% of your total grade. 2. Individual presentations. In order to complete this assignment you will need to investigate a multicultural musical style, artist or group. You may also choose to study a multicultural artist in film. Musicians in the class may also choose to perform and explain a work by an artist or group. Those interested in dance may also wish to demonstrate and present a certain style of multicultural dance. Information detailing the requirements of this assignment will be distributed. This portion is worth 10% of your grade. 3. Midterm examination. A midterm examination will be given in which the student will be expected to respond to essay and multiple choice questions based on films, guest speakers, and lectures. The midterm will also include questions in the "drop the needle" format. The midterm is worth 20% of your grade. 4. Concert review. Students are expected to write a review of a multicultural musical concert. Information detailing the requirements of this assignment and the questions students will be expected to answer through their concert experience will be distributed. The concert review is worth 10% of your final grade. 5. Final examination. A final examination will be given in which the student will be expected to respond to essay and multiple choice questions based on films, guest speakers, and lectures. The final is worth 20% of your grade. 6. Four "drop the needle" pop quizzes. A large portion of this course is designed to help the student develop an understanding the diversity and range of Latino music. I have prepared two compact discs with a range of musical traditions for you to study. The student is responsible for listening and knowing the author, artist, style, and name of each song on the CDs. Two times throughout the term you will be given a "drop the needle" pop quiz which will cover all of the compositions scheduled for listening. The "drop the needle" pop quizzes will not be comprehensive. In other words, scheduled musical pieces will not be included more than once on any given "drop the needle" quiz. Make up quizzes for unexcused absences will not be allowed. Each quiz is worth 5% of your grade.
G. RULES OF CLASS CONDUCT: a) All papers should be typed, double-spaced, with one-inch margins around the page. All pages should be numbered. The type pitch size should be 10 to 12-point and papers should be typed on a word processor. b) Class assignments will be due at the beginning of class. Students that miss class or show up late because of poor preparation will be penalized. c) The instructor should be notified of ANY absences or illnesses. d) Students are expected to come prepared for class and to proactively participate throughout the term. e) Students are expected to treat each other and the professor with courtesy and respect. f) Although class discussion may become "heated", please raise your hand and do not interrupt your colleague or the professor when s/he is speaking. g) I reserve the right to eliminate any person who I deem disruptive from the class at any time. h) If I have to tell any student to restrain from talking more than twice during any class period you will be asked to leave. i) Any student who does not attend class or stops attending class will still be obligated to officially withdraw from the class on their own. The deadline to drop a course without a W is Jan. 30 th. Withdrawal during the last three weeks of class is not permitted except in cases of serious illness or accident. H. TENTATIVE SCHEDULE DATE TOPIC READINGS WEEK 1 1/11 & 1/13 Introduction What is multicultural music? Chapter 1, pp. 3-15 WEEK 2 1/18 & 1/20 Vocabulary for listening and understanding music Blocks of Music Chapter 1, pp. 3-15 WEEK 3 1/25 & 1/27 Native American Music Chapter 2, pp. 16-36 WEEK 4 2/1 & 2/3 Anglo European Music Chapter 3, pp. 37-57 WEEK 5 2/8 (Flex Day no Class) & 2/10 African American Music Chapter 4, pp. 58-74 WEEK 6 2/15 & 2/17 Pre Cortesian Music Chapter 5, pp. 75-93 Mexican Music WEEK 7 2/22 & 2/24 Mexican Music continued Chapter 5, pp. 75-93
WEEK 8 3/1 & 3/3 (Concert review due) The Blues Chapter 6, pp. 94-116 WEEK 9 3/8 & 3/10 Jazz Chapter 7, pp. 117-143 Midterm Examination Study Guide distributed WEEK 10 3/15 & 3/17 Gospel Chapter 8, pp. 144-156 MIDTERM EXAMINATION WEEK 11 3/22 & 3/24 Cajun and Zydeco Chapter 9, pp. 157-168 Country Music Chapter 10, pp. 169-183 WEEK 12 3/29 & 3/31 Urban Folk Music Chapter 11, pp. 184-201 Ethnic Roots of Rock n Roll Chapter 12, pp. 202-218 WEEK 13 4/5 & 4/7 Salsa and Caribbean Latino Music Chapter 14, pp. 232-249 WEEK 14 4/12& 4/14 Soul, Motown, and Funk Chapter 13, pp. 219-231 WEEK 15 4/19 & 4/21 Hip Hop & Rap Chapter 17, pp. 278-292 WEEK 16 4/26 & 4/28 (SPRING BREAK) WEEK 17 5/3 & 5/5 Tejano, Banda, and Contemporary Mexican American Music Chapter 15, pp. 250-260 WEEK 18 5/10 & 5/12 Asian/Pacific Islander Music Chapter 16, pp. 261-277 WEEK 19 5/24 FINAL EXAMINATION ************************************************************************************** This schedule is not ground in stone. I am attempting to schedule guest lecturers/ performers and other activities. We will also be doing some group activities in class. Even though the schedule may vary, I expect that all readings will be finished before the class date listed unless I state otherwise. WELCOME TO MUSIC OF MULTICULTURAL AMERICA!!!!
CONCERT REVIEW ASSIGNMENT MUSIC OF MULTICULTURAL AMERICA MUSIC 35 This assignment is due on March 3 th and is worth 20% of your grade. To complete this assignment you must attend one concert by a multicultural artist or group. The review should be 2-3 pages in length, typed double-spaced. Your paper will be graded on content, spelling and grammar so please proof read and edit your assignment carefully before submission. All papers must have a program, ticket or flyer attached to the review. The review should be written in a narrative form and should contain the answers to the following questions: 1) Who is/are the artist(s)? Where was the concert held? When was the concert? How much did the concert cost? Where did you hear about the concert? 2) Why did you select this artist or group? What is the history of this artist or group? 3) What style(s) of music do(es) this artist or group play? How would classify the artistic quality of the artist or group? How would classify the artistic quality of the music of the artist or group? 4) What instruments were used in the concert? What special effects (if any) were used in the concert? 5) If a future concert were to be held, would you recommend the artist or group to a friend? Why or why not? 6) What were the highlights of the concert? Were there any "embarrassing moments"? 7) In what ways (if any) did this artistic experience enrich your knowledge and appreciation of multicultural music?
INDIVIDUAL PRESENTATIONS MUSIC OF MULTICULTURAL AMERICA MUSIC 35 For this project, you must conduct a research assignment concerning a multicultural musical artist or group, a style of dance or dance troupe, or you may choose to perform multicultural music and/or dance yourselves. Early in the semester you will be asked to select and sign up for a topic of your choice. If you have an idea for a presentation that is not included on the list, please ask the professor as this list is not allinclusive. You will be evaluated by the professor for your preparation, presentation and content. This assignment is divided into four parts: 1) Research Carefully research the focus of your project. Make sure that you understand the background history, current and previous works or derivations, and their link with the multicultural community in the United States and their home of origin. Be sure to provide references for all sources of information. Describe the music (using musical terminology such as meter, timbre, color, melody, harmony, etc ) Describe its origins Describe the instrumentation or costumes used Discuss popular artists of this style Discuss the future of this music or style 2) Presentation Planning If you have any questions regarding your presentation, please discuss them with the professor to make sure of the focus and clarity of your work. 3) Presentation Please use a variety of different mediums for your presentation; oral, visual, experiential, etc... Your presentation should not exceed 15 minutes in length. Make sure that you rehearse your presentation repeatedly to test for time, interest level, and presentation quality. 4) Presentation References You will be asked to submit a reference page listing all of the sources of your presentations including, but not exclusive of, books, recordings, printed music, magazines, journal articles, interviews, and concert reviews.