Studying Songs of Emancipation, Protest and Revolution

Course Description

Summary

Music reflects the powerful journey of the people This course will study Music of the Struggle for Freedom, Rebellion and Civil and Social Rights, beginning with the African American journey in the United States from late 1700s to present day, and expanding to other cultures throughout the world. Using the songs and stories from the project, Songs of Slavery and Emancipation as our beginning point, we will study the African American story from enslavement, through emancipation in the 1800s, and from civil rights movements in the 1900s, to contemporary expressions of civil rights. We will then expand our inquiry to the music of protest, Rebellion and civil rights in groups throughout the world. Using selected readings, audio and video recordings and virtual excursions to selected historical sites, we will explore this journey. In sum, this course is designed to provide a deeper understanding of Music in its role of Emancipation, Empowerment and Revolution - Movements –the people, their passion, their stories, -- both past and present.