A historical study of the musical contributions of African-Americans in the United States with considerations of the social, economic, religious and political variables that influenced the growth and direction of Afro-American music. This will include exploring the connection between sacred and secular, popular and classical, folk and commercial music.
Students will gain in-depth knowledge on the history of Afro-American music and its emergence as a socio-cultural practice. They will also develop an understanding and an awareness of the musical traditions of the American and African American culture. Students will be able to trace the history of Afro-American music using religious and cultural diversity to explain its role in the American culture. Finally, students will imagine the future direction of Afro-American Music through comprehensive research.
This is an integrative study of some genres of music such as Jazz, Rhythm & Blues, Blues, West African music and identify individuals who were instrumental in shaping the context of African Diaspora in America.
