U.S. Latino popular musics encompass diverse music repertoires shaped
by regional, cultural, and linguistic considerations. Few people
realize the extent to which Latino musical genres have influenced
U.S. popular musics. Mexicano/Chicano musics have a long and distinct
history in the United States, both within Mexican descent communities
and the broader American popular culture. Approaching
Mexicano/Chicano musics as a Mestizo triethnic musical heritage
(European -  primarily Spanish,
Indigenous and African), students become familiar with selected
Mexican American performance genresconjunto, mariachi, corridos, and
Chicano rock. A focus on ethnicity, traditionalism, and authenticity
explores the socio-cultural significance of these expressions and
their meanings within a broader U.S. Latino musical realm. Course
readings include sources from ethnomusicology, anthropology,
folklore, sociology, art history, archaeology, psychology and U.S.
Latino History. Students will be required to submit one major
research paper, a listening journal, and participate by facilitating
one group discussion.