MUS 231(S) Nothing But the Blues*
For the past 100 years, blues has been an important and influential form of
African-American music that has spread its influence far beyond Black
Americans. This seminar examines the history and evolution of the blues and
asks several questions. What values and beliefs are implicit in or are expressed
through the blues? How has the social experience of African-Americans
affected blues music? How has this music changed over time and in different
places? Have these changes allowed this music to speak to audiences? What
have various forms of the blues meant to African-Americans, to white
Americans, to Europeans, Africans, and other peoples? Are there significant
differences in the ways in which men and women approach singing or playing
the blues? What has been the impact of the blues on other forms of music?
Prerequisites: prior knowledge of, or course work in, music, African-American
history, or African-American culture. Enrollment limit: 10.