HISTORY OF ROCK Spring Semester 2017

(1)

History of Rock Syllabus – Spring 2017 – © Kattari 1

HISTORY OF ROCK

Spring Semester 2017

Instructor: Dr. Kim Kattari (aka Dr. K)

Office: LAAH 272 (Liberal Arts and Humanities)

Office hours: Tuesday and Thursday 3:00-4:00 PM or by appointment Email: kkattari@tamu.edu

Course and Section Number: MUSC 200 Section 510 / MUSC 226 Section 500 Class Time and Location: TTh 12:45-2:00 PM in HECC 108

COURSE DESCRIPTION

Examination of the development of rock music; emphasis on how the sounds and meaning of music reflects culture, ideology and history. Fulfills the Creative Arts Core and ICD requirement.

This course is explores how rock music developed, how it has changed over time, and how it reflects and affects culture, history, and people’s identities. To understand the development of what became known as “rock and roll” in the 1950s, we will begin with the history of folk and popular music in the United States from the Civil War to the mid-twentieth century. We will then explore various streams of rock as we seek to understand how the music reflected and responded to the social and cultural history of the 20^th century. We will consider a wide variety of popular music styles in order to contextualize the ways in which rock contributed to, developed alongside, or reacted to other genres of music.

PREREQUISITES

Previous experience with musical performance, including the ability to read or play notated music, is neither required nor expected. There are no prerequisites for this course.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

Texas A&M University has identified student learning outcomes that describe our institutional commitment to your educational goals. These include the ability to demonstrate critical thinking, effective communication, personal and social responsibility, collaboration skills, and social, cultural, and global competence. Please see:

http://provost.tamu.edu/essentials/pdfs/copy_of_UndergraduateLearningOutcomesFinal.pdf 1. Attentively listen to, recognize, and describe the noteworthy characteristics of a piece of

music, such as melody, rhythm, meter, harmony, texture, form, timbre, articulation, dynamics, and instrumentation.

(2)

History of Rock Syllabus – Spring 2017 – © Kattari 2 2. Identify characteristic musical features, historical and cultural context, important artists, and

key pieces associated with various genres of popular music.

3. Determine the genre and relevant characteristics of an aural example you may or may not have heard before.

4. Characterize the overall trajectory of rock music, demonstrating your understanding of how music both reflects and responds to historical, cultural, and technological developments as well as people’s identities and experiences.

REQUIRED MATERIALS

Textbook: There is no textbook you need to purchase for this class. All of the readings are available for free online or will be posted on eCampus.

Web Access, Email, and e-Campus: You will need regular and reliable web access. Use eCampus (http://ecampus.tamu.edu/) to view course documents, download reading assignments, find weblinks for required readings and podcasts, take exams, and check your grades. Please check your official TAMU email account and the eCampus course page frequently. These will be my primary modes of communication with you. “I didn’t know” is not a valid excuse in this class.

GRADING POLICIES AND IMPORTANT DATES

Syllabus quiz 50 points online by 1/26

Exam 1 100 points online 2/9 5 pm - 2/14 9 am

Final Exam 150 points online 5/4 5 pm - 5/9 9 am

--- 500 total points

From your total points at the end of course, the following rubric determines your grade. There are no exceptions. I will not adjust your grade at the end of the semester for any reason.

A 90% and above 450 points and above

B 80-89.9% 400-449 points

C 70-79.9% 350-399 points

D 60-69.9% 300-349 points

F 59.9% and below 299 points or below

Because of FERPA policy, which protects your rights and privacy, I will not discuss your grades over email. See me in person if you have any questions about your grade.

(3)

“But I just HAVE to get an A (or whatever grade)!”

Many students want an A because it reflects a high level of academic competence and accomplishment; it means you put a lot of work into mastering the material of the class.

However, some students are subject to external pressures brought on by student visas, scholarships, requirements for a major, academic probation, or graduation, and desperately

“need” to achieve a certain grade. The onus for receiving the grade you need is on you, the student who earns it. YOU determine what your grade will be (not me) based on your

performance over the course of the semester and the work you put into the class. If there’s a lot riding on your grade, start working NOW to achieve the grade you want. Pay attention in class and avoid distractions, do your homework, take notes (beyond just what’s written on the slides), regularly review your notes, form a study group, start studying for tests early rather than

procrastinating, begin your assignments early and put effort into them, and feel free to come see me in office hours or schedule an appointment if need any help or if you just want to make sure you’re on the right track. At the end of every semester, panicked students contact me when there is frankly nothing I can do about their grade, because the student already earned that grade based on their performance over the course of the semester. Not only is it unfair to your peers to ask for special consideration at the end of the semester, it’s also unnecessary if you’ve been proactive about your work and grades throughout the course. If you contact me at the end of the semester to ask for any sort of change to your grade, I will not answer your email except to cut and paste this paragraph into my reply.

ASSIGNMENTS AND EXAMS

Syllabus Quiz:

You are responsible for understanding what is involved in this course. Read this syllabus carefully and consult it before asking me a question about assignments, exams, or grades. Before January 26, complete the syllabus quiz on eCampus acknowledging that you have read the syllabus. This will also give you a chance to practice the online exam platform.

Exams:

What material the exams cover: Exams can cover material from the listening guides, lecture, and required articles or podcasts as noted on the course outline. The first 3 exams each only cover new material presented since the previous exam, as indicated on the lecture outline. The final exam covers the remaining new material but also includes cumulative questions that require you to synthesize broad themes from the entire semester. Each test will include listening question (where you identify certain aspects of a given audio/visual example), true/false, multiple choice, and matching.

Taking the exams: You will complete the exams online through eCampus. Please read the following carefully.

• When do I take the exam? Log in to eCampus and complete the test during the assigned period as indicated on this syllabus, which will always be from a Thursday night at 5 pm to the following Tuesday at 9 am. You must SUBMIT your exam before 9 am that Tuesday.

• How long do I have to take it? You have 75 minutes to take exams 1, 2, and 3, which have 75 questions each. You have 120 minutes to take the final exam which has 120

(4)

History of Rock Syllabus – Spring 2017 – © Kattari 4 questions. The timer starts once you begin the exam and does not stop, even if you leave the browser. Accordingly, only start the test when you know you have enough time to finish. You will have to answer questions quickly, so I recommend that you study the material ahead of time like you would for an in-class exam.

• What should I have with me when I take it? Some of the questions will require you to listen to or view a musical example. Have headphones or earbuds handy if you are going to take the test in a public setting. Make sure your audio works before starting the timer by listening to the “test example” on eCampus. You should also have your notes and materials from class, since you can use them while taking the exam. You should also have a cell phone or be close to a landline in case you need to call the Helpdesk for technical support (see below).

• What can and can’t I use to answer the questions? In addition to the best resource – your brain - you may consult your notes and class resources while taking the exam.

Collaborating with others to answer the questions, using answers you’ve received from an unauthorized source, or using any unauthorized materials including electronic devices while answering the questions is cheating. Do not discuss the questions with others before or after the test, and do not save or distribute any part of the test. Helping another student to answer any part of their test is complicity, another type of academic

misconduct. Any suspicion of academic dishonesty will be reported to the Aggie Honor System Office on campus for investigation. It is also your responsibility to report any academic misconduct that you find out about to me or the Aggie Honor System Office.

• Where should I take it? Losing or not having an internet connection is not a valid excuse for not completing your test in time. Be certain you have a secure connection, because once you start the timer it will continue to run, even if you are suddenly unable to access the internet. I recommend taking exams on a computer on campus.

• What happens if I have any technical problems? If you have ANY problems during the test (including the inability to hear audio), immediately call the TAMU Help Desk: 979- 845-8300. I cannot help you with technological issues, and will probably not be able to respond to a desperate email from you while your timer is still ticking away. So make sure you are in a place where you can call the Help Desk if you have any problems.

• What if eCampus is unavailable? Do not wait until the last minute to take the exam in case eCampus experiences issues. I will ONLY issue an extension if eCampus was unavailable for the entire last 24 hours of the exam window.

Studying for exams: Since you have a limited amount of time to take the test, you won’t have time to search for every answer in your notes or resources. Ongoing review of your class notes and resources is the best form of preparation.

Missing the exam: You have a window of more than 100 hours to take each exam. If you miss an exam, you can make it up ONLY if you have documentation for a university-excused absence, outlined in Student Rules 7.1.1-7.1.8, that excuses you from the entire duration of the test period window. As per Student Rule 7.3: “To be excused the student must notify the instructor in writing [an email will suffice] prior to the date of absence if such notification is feasible. In cases where advance notification is not feasible (e.g. accident, or emergency) or in the case of a religious holiday, the student must provide notification [in-person or by email] by the end of the second working day after the absence [no later than 48 hours after the close of the exam period].

(5)

History of Rock Syllabus – Spring 2017 – © Kattari 5 This notification should include an explanation of why notice could not be sent prior to the exam. Accommodations sought for absences due to the observance of a religious holiday can be sought either prior or after the absence, but not later than two working days after the absence [no later than 48 hours after the close of the exam period].” See http://student- rules.tamu.edu/rule07. These university guidelines will be strictly enforced. You will need to provide appropriate documentation for an excused absence to make up the test. Make-up exams for valid extended absences will be essay and short answer. Make-ups will NOT be given for any reason other than a valid excused absence that follows the above guidelines.

ATTENDANCE AND MISSING CLASS

While there is no official attendance policy, I do expect you to wisely and responsibly make it a priority to attend class. We will practice listening identification and review material on an ongoing basis in class to prepare for exams, so missing lecture results in lower retention of the material and weaker development of your test-taking skills. Exam questions will refer specifically to in-class activities, videos, aural examples, or discussions.

If you miss lecture for either excused or non-excused reasons, there is no need to notify me. Do not email me about absences unless you missed the entire test window for an excused absence (see above). Do not ask me “if you missed anything important” (I think it’s all important, of course). It is your responsibility to get missed notes or hand-outs from your classmates if you want them. I do not post lecture slides.

RESPECTING DIVERSE IDENTITIES AND BELIEFS

Respect is one of the six Aggie Core Values. It is my intention to cultivate a learning environment where the rights, dignity and wellbeing of all members of the campus community are respected. This includes a commitment to fostering an inclusive classroom for the expression of diverse identities and beliefs and cultivating a positive learning climate where all students can feel safe, comfortable, and ready to learn.

I trust you to help me foster a safe and respectful environment for the discussion of sensitive topics. I encourage and support the expression of diverse points of view, but I will not tolerate condescending, insulting, hateful, or sarcastic remarks. If you abuse, ridicule, or intimidate others during discussion, or use any type of speech that disrespects another’s identity or belief system, you will be subject to disciplinary action (refer to Student Rule 21 on Classroom Behavior, http://student-rules.tamu.edu/rule21). Please see me immediately if you feel that a classmate or I have been disrespectful or dismissive of any aspect of your identity or beliefs, or if we address you by a name or pronoun you do not identify with.

I am an ATMentor and an Aggie Ally, so feel free to visit me if you have any concerns or experiences you would like to discuss.

(6)

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY

“An Aggie does not lie, cheat, or steal, or tolerate those who do.”

Upon accepting admission to Texas A&M University, a student immediately assumes a commitment to uphold the Honor Code, to accept responsibility for learning, and to follow the philosophy and rules of the Honor System. Students will be required to state their commitment on examinations. Ignorance of the rules does not exclude any member of the TAMU community from the requirements or the processes of the Honor System. For additional information please visit http://aggiehonor.tamu.edu.

AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT (ADA)

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal anti-discrimination statute that provides comprehensive civil rights protection for persons with disabilities. Among other things, this legislation requires that all students with disabilities be guaranteed a learning environment that provides for reasonable accommodation of their disabilities. If you believe you have a disability requiring an accommodation, please contact Disability Services, currently located in the Disability Services building at the Student Services at White Creek complex on west campus or call 979-845-1637. For additional information, visit http://disability.tamu.edu..

For those taking exams at the Disability Services Office, please remind me at least a week before the exam to send the test and listening examples over to their office. For the final exam, you will need to schedule a time to take the listening portion of the exam with me.

COPYRIGHT OF CLASS MATERIALS

All materials generated by Dr. Kattari for this class are copyrighted, including the syllabus, lectures, hand-outs, exams, review sheets, and practice questions. This means that you do not have the right to distribute, sell, or copy these materials unless I expressly grant permission.

SEEING AND LISTENING TO MORE MUSIC

Check out local live music: There is a lot of live music in town. You can often find jazz music at Christopher’s World Grille or Downtown Uncorked. Many local bars and venues feature rock, pop, country, singer-songwriter, karaoke, and open mic nights, including Hurricane Harry’s, The Tap, O’Bannon’s, Ozona, Revolution Cafe, Beer Joint, and Village Café. Check the listings in Maroon Weekly or visit each venue’s website or social media pages.

Radio: There are some great local radio stations that have special programming related to the material of this course.

KEOS 89.1 (www.keos.org) - Community Radio for the Brazos Valley: I recommend looking up their schedule for each day. You’ll find programs about Beatles music, psychedelic rock, Texas blues, world music, jazz, folk and traditional, bluegrass, classic country, alt-country, progressive rock and metal, classic rock, girl groups, punk, R&B,

(7)

History of Rock Syllabus – Spring 2017 – © Kattari 7 disco, 1980s underground, heavy metal and hard rock, disco, native hip-hop, Tejano, and dance and electronica. There’s something for everyone!

KAMU 90.9 (kamu.tamu.edu) – Public Media for the Brazos Valley: Check out their jazz programs, classic country, and everything from bluegrass to swing to blues to early jazz.

They also have a show called “Brazos Arts” that keeps you informed about local cultural events.

KNFX 99.5 (www.995thefox.com) – The Classic Rock Station KAPN 107.3 (www.oldies1073online.com) – The “Oldies” Station

A note about online streaming: If you discover something you like in class, I encourage you to further explore similar artists and genres by using free online music streaming sites such as Spotify, Rhapsody, Pandora, etc. But remember, artists earn nothing or very little from having their songs on these sites, so please find ways to support the artists you like by buying their merchandise or music, or attending their live performances.

Media Library: Use the resources you have access to as a student! The media library on the 4^th floor of the Evans Library Annex has so much music available that you can check out. Or check out a music documentary or fictionalized music drama or biopic. If the library doesn’t have what you want, it’s easy to request a purchase on the library homepage.

LECTURE OUTLINE

All items should be completed for the lecture under which they appear (in other words, listed items are not homework after that day, but rather required preparation for that day).

Print and bring to class the listening guide for that day. If you’ve attempted to fill in the answers on your own before class, great! But it’s also ok to bring a blank copy. They are designed to help you listen to the songs in class (and also on your own) by drawing your attention to key aspects.

Assigned articles and links to podcasts and online articles can be found on eCampus.

UNIT 1: THE ROOTS OF ROCK’N’ROLL

Tues Jan 17 Course Introduction and Key Themes Thurs Jan 19 Music Vocabulary

* Bring Music Vocabulary document to class Tues Jan 24 Popular Music up to WWII: Minstrelsy

* Bring Listening Guide 1 to class Thurs Jan 26 Popular Music up to WWII: Tin Pan Alley

! Complete Syllabus Quiz on eCampus by noon

* Read online article “For Dummies: Exploring the AABA Form in Songwriting”

* Listen to podcast “Alexander’s Ragtime Band” (13 min.)

* Bring Listening Guide 1

(8)

History of Rock Syllabus – Spring 2017 – © Kattari 8 Tues Jan 31 Popular Music up to WWII: Race Records

* Read online article “For Dummies: Examining the 12 Bar Blues Pattern”

* Listen to podcast “Robert Johnson at 100: Still Dispelling Myths” (8 min.)

* Bring Listening Guide 2 Thurs Feb 2 Popular Music up to WWII: Hillbilly

* Listen to podcast “Wildwood Flower” (4 min.)

Tues Feb 7 Post-WWII Popular Music: Rhythm & Blues

* Listen to podcast “The Story of ‘I’m Your Hoochie Coohie Man’” (9 min.)

Thurs Feb 9 Post-WWII Popular Music: Country & Western

* Listen to podcast “I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry” (13 minutes)

! UNIT 1 EXAM: Opens Thursday Feb 9 at 5 pm. Closes Tuesday Feb 14 at 9 am.

UNIT 2: ROCK’N’ROLL AND EARLY 1960s POP

Tues Feb 14 From Rhythm’n’Blues to “Rock’n’Roll”

* Read “The Growing Threat of Rhythm and Blues” and “Langston Hughes Responds”

* Listen to podcast “Rock Around the Clock” (10 min.)

* Bring Listening Guide 4 Thurs Feb 16 TBD

Tues Feb 21 Rock’n’Roll

* Listen to podcast “One Record, Two Hits and a Rock’n’Roll Revolution” (8 min)

* Bring Listening Guide 4 Thurs Feb 23 Rock’n’Roll

* Listen to podcast “La Bamba” (10 min.)

* Bring Listening Guide 4 Tues Feb 28 Rock’n’Roll

* Listen to podcast “Maybellene” (11 min.)

Thurs Mar 2 The Backlash Against Rock’n’Roll and the Birth of 1960s Pop

* Read “Rock’n’Roll Meets the Popular Press” and “The Chicago Defender Defends Rock’n’Roll”

(9)

* Listen to podcasts “The Story of Woody Guthrie’s ‘This Land is Your Land’” (13 min.) and “Blowin’ In The Wind’ Still Asks The Hard Questions” (11 min.)

Thurs Mar 9 Popular Music up to 1965: The Beach Boys and The Beatles

* Read “The Beatles Press Conference” and “Beatlemania Frightens Child Expert”

Tues Mar 14-Thurs Mar 16 NO CLASS: SPRING BREAK

Tues Mar 21 Popular Music up to 1965: The Beach Boys and The Beatles, continued

! UNIT 2 EXAM: Opens Thursday Mar 23 at 5 pm. Closes Tuesday Mar 28 at 9 am.

UNIT 3: FRAGMENTATION OF ROCK IN THE ‘60s &‘70s

Thurs Mar 23 Folk Rock

* Read “Bringing It All Back Home”

* Listen to “Like a Rolling Stone” (9 min.)

Tues Mar 28 The Counterculture: Psychedelic Rock

* Read “The Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test”

* Bring Listening Guide 9 Thurs Mar 30 The Counterculture: Art Rock

* Listen to podcast “The Story of The Beach Boys’ ‘Good Vibrations’” (13 min.)

Tues Apr 4 Rock Guitar Gods, Festivals, and the End of the Sixties

* Read “Festivals: The Good, The Bad, and the Ugly”

* Listen to “The Story Behind ‘Purple Haze’” (13 min.)

* Bring Listening Guide 9 Thurs Apr 6 1970s Arena Rock: Prog Rock

Tues Apr 11 1970s Arena Rock: Glam Rock, Shock Rock, Hard Rock

* Bring Listening Guide 11 Thurs Apr 13 Punk: Proto-Punk and CBGBs

* Listen to podcast “I Wanna Be Sedated” (8 min.)

(10)

* Read “Punk Crosses the Atlantic”

! UNIT 3 EXAM: Opens Thursday Apr 20 at 5 pm. Closes Tuesday Apr 25 at 9 am.

UNIT 4: 1980s & 1990s

Thurs Apr 20 The Pop and Rock Superstars of the 1980s

Tues Apr 25 Alternative Rock, Punk, and Heavy Metal of the 1980s

Thurs Apr 27 Alternative Rock, Punk, and Heavy Metal of the 1990s

* Listen to podcast “How Nirvana’s Unlikely Hit Became an Anthem” (8 min.)

Tues May 2 No Class – redefined as a Friday (attend your Friday classes)

! FINAL EXAM: Opens Thursday May 4 at 5 pm. Closes Tuesday May 9 at 9 am.