MUSI 207C - Gender and Sexuality in Popular Music

This course investigates popular music through the lenses of gender and sexuality (including intersections with issues of race, ethnicity, age, and class). We approach popular music by considering production (creation, recording, and performance), reception (listening, watching, dancing, fandom), and criticism (popular press, scholarly reactions, and our own and others’ conversations about music). Using albums, videos, and films we explore topics in Anglophone popular music from the 1950’s to the present. Through relevant readings, listening, class discussion, and writing, we explore the cultural workings of gender and sexuality through popular music, in order to come to a better understanding of how production and reception of popular music influences people’s identities, emotions, relationships, and understandings of their bodies, as well as the ways that popular music contributes to understandings of gender and sexuality. Students keep a regular reading and listening journal, and are invited to bring select recordings of interest to class. A final project focuses on a performer or group of the student’s choice. No previous knowledge of music required. Enrollment limited to 25 students. (SS)

Prerequisites & Notes
24053
1300 to 1515. July 14 to August 11 MTWRF; Shana Goldin-Perschbacher

Credits: 3