Purpose:
This course will examine those various socio_cultural and political milieux
which have influenced the development of selected African American musical
forms in the United States.  Emphasis will be placed on understanding music
as culture, through the exploration of the multifaceted dimensions of
African American identity.  Utilizing biographies and autobiographies of
African American musicians as tools of analysis, students will discover the
impact of race, culture and class in shaping the experiences and defining
the legacies of African American musicians.  Students will learn to
interpret music beyond its sonic domain, in order to understand the social,
economic, and political variables that define and shape musical expression
in this country..

Required Texts:
Robert Toll.  Blacking Up.  New York: Oxford, 1974. (ON RESERVE--MAIN
LIBRARY AND BLACK CULTURE CENTER/OUT OF PRINT)
Collated xeroxed reading packet available from Collegiate Copies.  An
autobiography or biography of an African American musician
	chosen from a pre-selected list.

EVALUATION:  (415 POINTS)

200 points _ EXAMS-_Two equally weighted exams will be given during the
first twelve weeks of the semester.  All questions will be multiple choice,
including slide identification and listening.  THERE IS NO FINAL EXAM IN
THIS COURSE.

150 points _ FINAL PROJECT-_The final project is a critical analysis of the
life and career of an African American musician.  The assignment includes
both an oral and a written segment.   Detailed instructions will be provided
for execution of the assignment.
				
	     50 points _ Oral presentation
	   100 points _ Final paper

50 points _ ASSIGNMENTS-A minimum of five assignments, to be completed
either during or outside of class, will be given over the course of  the
semester. Most of this work will be in preparation for completion of the
final assignment.

15 points _ ATTENDANCE
	0_2 absences _ 15 points
	3_4 absences _ 10 points
	5-6 absences _  5 points
	7+ absences _  0 points

20 points - BONUS--Students will be given a variety of opportunities to earn
bonus points by attending African American music events (maximum 5 points
each) and submitting a one page critique which links the event to at least
one concept or principle covered in class.  Critiques must be submitted
within ONE WEEK following the event chosen.				
	
Fulfills a COAS Arts and Humanities, Traditions and Ideas distribution
requirement and is on List A of the COAS Culture Studies requirement.