Categories
2023

Weeks 1–2: Foundations

In the first class, we’ll go through the syllabus and talk about the music we’re interested in. In the second, we will discuss analysis of pop music in general according to Attas (2022) and Burns (2002).

Jan 26: Introductions

In the first class, we’ll go through the syllabus and talk about the music we’re interested in. Before class,

Due Thursday before class

Click here and submit one pop song you’d like to discuss with everyone. (“Pop” is very broadly construed here and throughout the course as an umbrella term including all popular genres—it doesn’t necessarily need to be a Billboard Top 40 hit or anything.) Be prepared to discuss briefly what you find so compelling about it. 

Due Sunday at noon

Fill out this form to indicate your top 3 preferred readings for discussion leading.


Feb 2: Analyzing pop music

This week, we’ll discuss the analysis of pop music in a general sense and consider some of the main challenges we might face.

Reading due Thursday before class

  • (Michael discussion leading)
  • (Calvin discussion leading)

Due Sunday at noon

Write a brief response to the readings and our in-class discussion. You may want to mention what you want to get out of this class and how the readings related to that (or didn’t). Please save as a PDF and upload to your homework submit folder.


Bibliography

Readings are either in the Readings folder or are available online through the library (or both!).