Ethnic
Studies 179: Black Music and Black Consciousness
Professor: Ricky K. Green
Office: Amador 562A
Office Hours: MW 10-11:50
Phone: 278-3359,
greenr@csus.edu
This course will provide students with
an understanding of the essential role Black music assumes in the development
of people of African descent throughout the Black Diaspora. Major topics include the historical
development of Black music, the role of music in Black resistance and other
forms of political behavior, the economic exploitation of Black music and the
Black musician and the influence of globalization.
Learning
Objectives
1.
To
provide students with a critical understanding of the essential role Black
music assumes in the development of people of African descent throughout the
Black Diaspora.
2.
To
provide students with a critical understanding of the essential role Black
music assumes in the development of Black cultures throughout the Black
Diaspora.
3.
To
provide students with a critical understanding of the role Black music plays
in the development of Black political behavior including resistance to racial
oppression and discrimination.
4.
To
provide students with a critical understanding of the economic exploitation
of Black music and the Black musician.
Assignments
and Grading
First quiz, Sept. 27th
(25% ).
First paper, Oct. 25th (30%
).
Second paper, last day of finals
week (35%).
Class
attendance/participation (10%).
Grading
Scale. A=100-93 B=87-84 C=77-74 D=65-60
A-=92-90 B-=83-80 C-=73-70 F=59-
B+=89-88 C+=79-78 D+=69-66
Required Texts:
The Power of Black Music, Samuel A. Floyd, (Oxford, 1995: Oxford University
Press).
Blues Legacies and Black Feminism, Angela Davis, (New York 1999, Vintage Books).
Hip Hop Generation,
Bitari Kitwana (Basic Civitas Books, 2003)
*Readings with asterisks are
in reserve reading room
Assignments
Section One: Origins of
African Music and its adaptation to the Black Diaspora
Weeks 1&2: African heritage and the concept Power
of Black Music, 14-57
of Soul *Douglass,
57-58
*DuBois,
204-217
*Barrett,
1-39
Week 3: Music as Discourse
Adaptation and
reinterpretation Power
of Black Music, 58-99
Distinctiveness and inclusiveness
Week 4: Music
as catharsis
Freedom
and Spiritualism Power of Black Music,
Music as community *Black Culture and Black
Music as resistance Consciousness,
*First exam, September 27th (25% )
Section Two: From Sacred to Secular: Spirituals,
Gospel, Blues
Week 4&5: Spirituals and work gang songs Blues People 17-31
Building a cultural foundation Black Culture and Black
Consciousness, 193-217
Week 6 Jim Crow and Gospel Blues Legacies and
Music
and religion Black Feminism, 3-66
Week 7&8: Blues, Power of Black Music, 101-159
Blues Legacies
and
Black Feminism, 66-197
*First Paper, October 25th, 5-6 pages (30% )
Section Three: Transitions:
Unmasking and developing the Hidden Transcript
Weeks 9&10: Jazz
and other transitions Power of Black Music, 160-277
Weeks 11&12: Soul, R&B,
Hip
Hop Generation
Part I
Weeks 12-14: new
directions Hip Hop Generation
Reinventing resistance Part II, Race Rebels, 1-34
Week 15 Keepin’ it Real: Class
Conflict
and Black Music
*Final paper Analytical paper (6-7 pgs.), due last day
of finals (35%)
Last updated: 09/12/2007
