MUS 234 Afro-Pop: Urban African Dance Music (Same as Africana Studies 234) (Not offered 2006-2007; to be offered 2007-2008)*

Over the past 100 years, West African highlife, Congolese rumba, and South African jazz and other urban musics have arisen all over the African continent. More recently, rap has taken root, changing the musical landscape in Africa's cities. Although these urban musics are entertaining, they have a deeper significance. They help Africans make sense of their changing world and they help us make sense of ours. We will examine the multiplicity of meanings urban African music may carry and help students gain deeper insights into the creative process that produces it by learning to perform this music, either as musicians or as dancers, with Ghanaian master drummer Obo Addy and Kusika. Rehearsal times to be announced.
Format: seminar and rehearsal/performance. Requirements: four 5-page papers and related oral presentations, participation, the improvement of performance skills, and a take home final exam.
Enrollment: limit 10 (expected 10). Open to all students with an intermediate level of performance skill in any kind of music or dance. If more apply, audition may be required.

E. D. BROWN, OBO ADDY