Jazz and the Political Imagination
Columbia University
Spring 2002
Syllabus
Seminar on Miles Davis
Yale University
African-American Studies
Spring 2002
A survey of the life and music of Miles Davis, examining the social history and musical traditions which shaped his work, and exploring his influence on music, literature and society.
ABOUT THE COURSE
Seminar on Sound
Columbia University
Anthropology and American Studies
Spring 2007
Course Requirements
1. Regular attendance and participation at the seminar
2. Two or three class presentations based on papers of approximately 5 pages
3. A term paper of approximately 15-20 pages due on April 24
REQUIRED READING
Christoph Cox and Daniel Warner, eds. Audio Culture: Readings in Modern Music. NY, 2004
Mark Katz, Capturing Sound: How Technology Has Changed Music. Berkeley, 2004 (with CD)
Michel Chion, Audio Vision
Music, Race, and Nation
Columbia University
Department of Music
Theorizing Improvisation
In the 20th Century, improvisation in the contemporary arts has served as a symbol of new models of social organization that foreground agency, history, memory, identity, personality, freedom, embodiment, cultural difference and self-determination.
Sonic Texts of the Black Atlantic
Columbia University
Department of Music
Evolution of Jazz in America
Berea College
Fall 2004
Jazz Narrative in Novels and Film
University of Kansas
American Studies/English
Fall 2006
COURSE REQUIREMENTS
How you'll be graded: On the basis of: a (probably take-home) final exam (34%); a 2000-word, documented research paper on a topic you select and I approve, due by beginning of class on 28 November (34%); a combined grade based on the quality of your participation in class, and the quality of your response papers (frequently assigned in class, and due via the class Blackboard site by noon the following Tuesday) on the books and films screened (33%).
Jazz Autobiography
University of Kansas
American Studies/English
Fall 2007
COURSE REQUIREMENTS
How you'll be graded: On two 1250-1500-word term papers, due week 8 & week 16 (35% of your final grade each), eight one-page typed response papers (20%) as explained below, and class participation (10%). We aim to stimulate lively classroom discussion.
Possible paper topics will be discussed in class; check with me to approve a topic before your start writing.
There will be regular quizzes, but no mid-term exam. A final exam is possible.
Jazz, Roots to 1956
University of Kansas
American Studies
Fall 2006
COURSE REQUIREMENTS
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