American Popular Music Section TM

VHS Catalog 12-13

Course Title:	American Popular Music Section TM
Course Code:	apomtomo
MA NCES Code:	05118
Discipline:	Arts
Grade Level:	07, 08, 09, 10, 11, 12
Level:	Standard
Offering:	Repeated Semester (Fall: 25 Seats; Spring: 25 Seats; )
Duration:	15 weeks
Prerequisites:	an open mind and a love of music; Students must be able to access streaming audio files for this course. Widgets are embedded in course files which link to US Copyright compliant music streaming websites such as http://www.grooveshark.com.
Additional Requirements:
Accredited by:	Middle States Commission on Secondary Schools; Northwest Accreditation Commission
Course Requires a Media Kit to be Shipped to Students: No
Course Requires a Media Kit to be Purchased by Course Sponsor (see additional details below): Yes
Description: *Please Note: This course may not be appropriate for students with specific accessibility limitations as written. Please refer to the VHS Handbook policy on Special Education/Equity for more information on possible modifications. If you need additional assistance, please let us know at service.goVHS.org. Are you an avid music fan, enthralled by the songs and interested in the stories behind them? Do you believe that art reflects life or do you think it's the other way around? Well, American Popular Music is where you can find the answer. In this course we will look at the evolution of pop music from early American folk music through the Rock -n - Roll of the 1960's, in an effort to understand the unique relationship between music and society. Of course we won't be able to cover all of the music in between, but we will look at representative periods and artists along the way. We'll also look at how the business of music works, taking into consideration the recording industry, radio, and performing. Coursework will include listening to and analyzing music, researching various topics, discussing opinions and working with others to simulate different music industry scenarios. Students must be able to access streaming audio files for this course. Widgets are embedded in course files which link to US Copyright compliant music streaming websites such as http://www.grooveshark.com. This course may be appropriate for Gifted and Talented middle school students that meet all course prerequisites.*

MediaKit Contents:
The History of Rock and Roll

Syllabus:
Weeks 1
Getting Acquainted and acclimated to on-line learning. Students will learn to use software, the conventions of the course and will meet and get to know the instructor and classmates. Rudiments of music, such as listening skills, music terminology, elements of music, and exploratory listening will be covered.

Part I
Weeks 2-10
The History of American Popular Music

The History of American Popular Music is traced from its beginnings in Folk Music, through the Jazz era, and through the music of the Civil Rights and Protest era (1960's). Representative styles of Folk Music (ballad, work songs, spirituals, gospel, and more), its societal influence and lyric composition will be studied. Styles of Jazz and Blues (brass bands, swing, bebop, etc.) its societal influence and historical context, and notable personalities will be studied. Developmental history of Popular Music, its elements of style, notable personalities, and societal influences through the 1950's and 1960's will also be explored.

Part II
Weeks 11-15
The Music Industry

Students look at the development of Radio and the Recording Industries as well discuss business analysis, copyright issues, and social influences of the Music Industry. Students explore careers in music, such as performing, management, radio, and song-writing.

Course Objectives:
· Exploring and evaluating the cause and effect relationship of music and society
· Identifying different types of American popular music and becoming familiar with the characteristics of each
· Exploring careers in the music industry, necessary preparation, benefits and drawbacks of each and appropriateness to students in the course
· Examining the development of the radio and recording industries in America and the effect of each on the music and society of the time
· Becoming familiar with the developmental history of American music (from c. 1900 - 1960) and its influential events and people
· Acquiring knowledge of the basic elements of music and how they effect a composition
· Developing personal listening skills necessary for critical evaluation of a composition.
· Develop individual creativity in regard to writing original song lyrics.

This catalog description was last modified on 07/13/2012