Course Content Form

PIMA COMMUNITY COLLEGE

Effective Term: Fall 2016

MUS 160 Popular Music in America

Credit Hours: 3.00 Lecture Periods: 3.00 Lab Periods: 0.00

Description:
Study of the history of popular music culture in America through current trends in today's society. Includes
background of music, sources of music, birth of music, syncopated song and dance, jazz, crooners and jazz
singers, musical theater, country music, Latin music traditions, and roots of rock and roll. Also includes impact of
technology, Motown and soul, rock in the seventies, and modern trends.

Gen Ed: Meets AGEC – FA or HUM; Meets - CTE - A&H.

Course Learning Outcomes:

Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:
1. Discuss similarities, differences and style traits in American popular music.
2. Describe forms, structures, instruments, rhythms and styles of the music.
3. Explain how our culture affects the music, and how music affects our culture.
4. Discuss the influence of technology upon the music (records, CD’s, microphones, amplifiers, electronics, multi-
track recording, video, computer technology).

Outline:
Background of the Music
A. What is popular music?
B. Instruments
C. Melody and harmony
D. Form, structure and texture
II. Sources of the Music
A. European heritage
B. Anglo-American folk song
C. African heritage
III. Birth of the Music
A. Stephen Foster and the Minstrelsy
B. After the Civil War
C. Ragtime
D. Blues styles
IV. Syncopated Song and Dance
V. Jazz
VI. Crooners and Jazz Singers
VII. Musical Theater (Broadway)
VIII. Country Music
XIV.Latin Music Traditions
XV. Roots of Rock and Roll
A. Rhythm and blues
B. Chuck Berry
C. Elvis
D. British invasion and Beatles
XVI. Impact of Technology
XVII. Motown and Soul
XVIII. Rock in the Seventies
XIX. Modern Trends
A. Age of MTV
B. Rap music
C. “Alternative” styles