Winter 2016/Houston

TC515

Taylor/Risdon

TC515: UNDERSTANDING POPULAR MUSIC (South by Southwest) (4 Units: 164 Hours). Barry Taylor with Nate Risdon.

DESCRIPTION: The course will investigate some of the social, ethical, and psychological implications of popular music upon theology, and in turn seek a theological engagement with the diverse and varied contours of popular music. We live in an age where popular music provides a “soundtrack” to our lives; this course will explore the theological implications of this cultural artifact. Including an immersive exposure to the live music experience at the South by Southwest Festival. The course will explore the relationship between music makers and their audiences from a phenomenological and theological perspective.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: Students will be able, through examination and investigation of popular music, interactive discussion, and class lectures, to (1) demonstrate their understanding of both the structure and social contexts of popular music; (2) articulate the relationship between the moral and philosophical within popular music; (3) demonstrate their theological engagement with a particular expression of popular music; and (4) present their understanding of the ways in which popular music influences and shapes contemporary church and worship life integrating course material and course experiences.

COURSE FORMAT: This is a hybrid+ course, meaning that it is a ten-week course with nine weeks of online instruction and one week of classroom instruction in Austin, Texas at the South by Southwest Festival. The week of classroom instruction will include 4-hour class sessions each morning, [20 hours] which will include reflection on the immersion experiences, lecture, and guest speakers. Classroom and online instruction will include lecture and discussion for a total of 40 instructional hours. In addition to longer-term projects (such as essays, research papers, reflective journaling), a typical week’s required activities and interactions will include:

REQUIRED READING:

DeNora, Tia. Music in Everyday Life. Cambridge University Press, 2000. ISBN: 978-0521627320, Pub. Price $44.99 [196 pp.].

Frith, Simon. Performing Rites. Pantheon, 1981. ISBN: 978-0674661967, Pub. Price $25.50 [360 pp.].

Stephens, Ken. What to Listen for in Rock. Yale University Press, 2002. ISBN: 978-0300092394, Pub. Price $60.00 [272 pp.].

Storey, John. Cultural Studies and the Study of Popular Culture: Third Edition. Edinburgh University Press, 2010. ISBN: 978-0748640386, Pub. Price $38.95 (paperback) [208 pp.].

Vanhoozer, Kevin J., ed. Everyday Theology. Baker Academic, 2007. ISBN: 978-0801031670, Pub. Price $24.99 [288 pp.].

* Listening to a selection of popular music spanning the history of the medium will be a required part of the curriculum (guidelines for this will be presented in class).

RECOMMENDED READING:

Baker, Jonny, and Doug Gay, with Jenny Brown. Alternative Worship. Baker Books, 2004. ISBN: 978-0801091704, Pub. Price $7.75 [160 pp.].

Cone, James. The Spirituals and the Blues: An Interpretation. Orbis, 1992. ISBN: 978-0883448434, Pub. Price $16.00 [152 pp.].

Dylan, Bob. Chronicles Vol. 1. Simon & Schuster, 2005. ISBN: 978-0743244589, Pub. Price $16.00 [320 pp.].

Hesmondaugh, David, and Keith Negus. Popular Music Studies. Oxford University Press, 2002. ISBN: 978-0340762486, Pub. Price $35.00 [288 pp.].

Kahney, Leander. The Cult of iPod. No Starch Press, 2005. ISBN: 978-1593270667, Pub. Price $24.95 [160 pp.].

Rose, Tricia. Black Noise: Rap Music and Black Culture in Contemporary America. Wesleyan University Press, 1994. ISBN: 978-0819562753, Pub. Price: $22.95 [257 pp.].

ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT:

  1. 5-10 minute video or essay (300-400 words) which serves as an introduction for the student and outlines the student’s music preferences, instrumental capabilities, and aspirations (5%). [This assignment is related to learning outcome #1]. [3 hours].

  2. Posts every odd numbered week (250-300 words) reflecting on assigned reading and as well as response to a two classmate’s post (100-150 words) - (15%). [This assignment is related to learning outcomes #1, 2, 3, and 4]. [15 hours].

  3. Posts every even numbered week of the quarter (250-300 words) in a journal reflecting on lecture/online activity and two response to a classmate’s post (100-150 words each) - (15%). [This assignment is related to learning outcomes #1, 2, 3, and 4]. [15 hours].

  4. 10 minute Oral report in Austin at SXSW reflecting on experiences and observations in light of reading and classroom discussions. – (5%). [This assignment is related to learning outcome #1, 2, 3, and 4]. [4 hours].

  5. 1,300 pages of reading (10%). [This assignment is related to learning outcomes #1, 2, and 3]. [70 hours].

  6. A twelve- to fifteen-page paper rooted in field research on one of the musical genres covered in the course. Papers will forge a theological response to the research gathered. Students will study specific music genres (guidelines will be given in class) and include a plan for a theological presentation in their life and ministry (35%). For the sake of the students’ schedules, students will be required to turn in a draft of the first third of the paper on week 4 of the class. A second draft including the first and second third of the paper will be due on week 9 of the course. The complete and final paper will be due at the end of the Winter quarter. [This assignment is related to learning outcome #1, 2, 3, and 4]. [35 hours].

  7. Attendance of and participation in daily class meetings at SXSW (10%). [This assignment is related to learning outcomes #1, 2, 3, and 4]. [12 hours].

  8. Attendance of selected concerts and events at the SXSW Music Festival (5%). [This assignment is related to learning outcome #1]. [10 hours].

* A more detailed schedule for papers will be given in the first class of the intensive.

PREREQUISITES: None.

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: C2. Fulfills the MAT in Theology & Arts format requirement in Integrative studies. Option to count in the Worship and Music Ministry emphasis, Worship, Theology and the Arts emphasis, and Youth, Family, and Culture emphasis.

FINAL EXAMINATION: None.


NOTE: This ECD is a reliable guide to the course design but is subject to modification. Textbook prices are set by publishers and are subject to change.

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