PHIL 3390 Philosophy of Black Music
This course uses the history of African-American music as a means of exploring the history of African-American culture. Using music as a mirror that reflects the principal experiences, values, and aspirations of African-Americans, students examine the spirituals (as a reflection of slavery), the blues (as a reflection of post-emancipation life), jazz, gospel, and rhythm and blues (as reflections of the growing complexity of the African-American diaspora), soul music and funk (as reflections of the civil rights movement), and hip hop and rap (as reflections of post-industrial, contemporary black culture). Offered in Fall, biannually.