Course Description

Critics have often regarded the blues as America’s folk music because of its ability to    capture lived experiences and the human condition in the most profound manner. Originating in the African American oral tradition, the blues singer provides testimony about one’s present state of mind. Topics may range from love, having a good time to social and political commentary. In reference to the latter, blues lyrics function to subvert hegemony. As such, the blues complicate issues of race, class, and gender representation. This course provides a socio-cultural history and survey of the blues music tradition from its sound culture sources in West Africa to its emergence in African American oral culture. Emphasis will be placed on the philosophical underpinnings of blues music, the social and political forces that led to the development of blues music in the United States, and the profound impact of the blues on the development of country, jazz, gospel, rhythm ‘n’ blues, rock, and hip-hop.  Because the course examines blues music, society and culture and its manifestation via musical performance, readings will not only include those in the field of ethnomusicology but from various disciplines and areas: cultural studies, folkloristics, history, performance studies, philosophy, religious studies, and sociology. In making blues music more tangible, recordings and videos/ DVDs will be used, and, when possible, blues guest-artists and lecturers will be invited.

Course Objectives

1. To develop an in depth understanding of blues music history  
2. To develop critical ways of listening to and interpreting blues music styles
3. To provide a conceptual framework by which to examine the relationship of
   music in society and music as culture

Required Text 
 A course reader, which can be purchased at Course Reader Materials; 1081 Westwood Blvd. (310-443-3303; 310-443-3300). Free parking on Broxton across from Chipotle Grill. Additional readings will be placed on Reserve in the Music Library at 1102 Schoenberg Music Building.

Audio/Video Assignments
Listening will be available on line through the Music Library’s Digital Reserves Listing at http://unitproj.library.ucla.edu/dlib/audio_reserves/current.cfm?i=1, when specified by the instructor. Additional listening sources are available in the Music Library.  Videos will be viewed in class and/or in discussion unless otherwise indicated on syllabus.  Additional online music sources include African American Song database available through the UCLA Library Listen Online link at http://internal.uclosangeles4.classical.com/. Registration is free.
Final Grade: Final grade for students will result from the following:

Midterm, Thurs., May 1st                                          (25%)
Album Review (5-8 Pages), May 22nd in class   (20%)
Performance Report, June 5th (Final due date)   (20%)
Final Exam, Tues., June 10th, 8-11:00 a.m.         (25%)
Discussion                                                                   (10%)
                                                            TOTAL          afa 100%

Grading scale is as follows:  97-100%=A+, 93-96%=A, 90-92%=A-, 87-89%=B+,83-86%=B, 80-82%=B-, 77-79%=C+, 73-76%=C, 70-72%=C-, 67-69%=D+, 63-66%=D, 60-62%=D-, 59-0%=F.

Note: Students are advised to check with instructor about course and discussion grade progress before taking final examination. The only changes to final grades, if necessary, would be in result of a clerical error.                                                            

Paper Guidelines for Students
1) Performance Reports:  Students are required to attend a blues music performance or a   performance rendered with blues elements.  Please discuss your choice of a performance with instructor for approval at least a week before event. All performances should be attended by the tenth week of classes.  Where appropriate, please accompany your written report with newspaper or source advertisement, performance program, and/or ticket stub. Your reports should consist of a reading of blues style(s) elements of performance, audience responses/comments to performer/performance, and your overall opinion of performance. Reports should be three to five pages, double-spaced, and typed. Your paper will be graded on the following: Writing Style (e.g.  grammar, etc.)= 25 pts and Interpretation = 25, totaling 50pts.  Performance reports can be submitted at any time during the quarter but the final deadline for submissions is Thursday, June 5th in class. Absolutely NO late or emailed papers will be accepted. 
 
2) Album Review: By the fourth week, students should select a blues recording they wish to review and submit choice to instructor for approval.  In writing your critique and analysis of the recording,  please include the following information: a brief (2 to 3 paragraphs) biography of the artist(s) situating him/her within a historical period of blues music; a discussion of at least five songs representative of the artist’s style (of which one may be atypical to the artist’s or performers’ style); an overview of recording (perhaps including past comments or documentation written about the artist/performer(s) including liner notes, and your rating of the recording and the reason for your rating (5 stars, the highest).   Record review papers should be properly cited, that is with bibliography or with endnotes or footnotes in lieu of a bibliography. Please avoid the overuse of Web site references.  Rather, make critical use of library sources. You can use the Chicago Manual of Style, 15th Ed’s APA or MLA style, but be consistent. Reviews should be no more than eight pages, double-spaced, and typed. Finally, must provide copy of CD. Your paper will be graded on the following: Writing Style (e.g. grammar, etc.) = 30 pts; Analysis =50pts; References=20pts, totaling 100pts.  Review is due on May 22nd in class.    

COURSE POLICY

1. MAKE-UP EXAMS:  Verbal explanations for missing an exam will not be acceptable as a student’s official excuse.  Make-up exams will only be given if an official written excuse is provided in a timely fashion. For example:

a)  If a student is unable to take an exam because of a religious holiday, s(he) must inform the instructor by e-mail or phone within the first two weeks of class;

b)  If a student is unable to take an exam because of sickness or family emergency, s(he) will need to inform the instructor by e-mail or phone as soon as possible and certainly within three working days of the exam so that a make-up can be arranged.  A doctor’s note will be required in case of the student’s own sickness, a letter from the appropriate parent/guardian/spouse/other adult relative in case of family emergency;
 
c)  If there are time/day conflicts with university’s scheduling of finals, please notify in writing no later than the first two weeks of class so that arrangements can be made in advance.

2. ATTENDANCE: Class lecture and discussion are mandatory. Seven unexcused absences in lecture will result in a failing grade for the course. Three unexcused absences in discussion will result in a failing grade in discussion. The same policy for make-up exams/assignments and the need for an official written excuse apply here.  Please refer to the above.     

3.  STUDENT WITH DISABILITIES:  The instructor should be informed in writing at the beginning of the term no later than the first two weeks of classes if a student has a disability that requires special accommodation in class or for the exam.  The student must have registered with the Office for Students with Disabilities.  Their website is http://www.saonet.ucla.edu/osd/

4.  CHANGES IN COURSE OUTLINE:  Some changes may be made in specific reading and other assignments (i.e. extra credit); some minor adjustments to the timetable may also be made. Such changes will be described during lectures and/or discussion section.

5.  CLASS ETIQUETTE:  It is important to maintain a learning environment in class lecture and in discussion sections. Students are expected to arrive on time for class, to turn off cellular phones, and end conversations and reading newspapers or non-related course material by the start of class.  Personal conversation may not be conducted during the lectures and discussion, since they are distracting to both the instructor and other students. Guest-speakers and musicians should be shown special courtesy. 

6. PAPER ASSIGNMENTS:  Note that all paper assignments should be typed, double-spaced, and stapled.  NO EMAILED PAPERS WILL BE ACCEPTED.  Late paper assignments will be penalized each school calendar day past the due date.