This course provides an overview of traditional folk music of the British Isles and America. Research will include the Child Ballads and collections of Cecil Sharp, Alan Lomax, and Carl Sandburg. Folksongs will be examined for their literary and musical content. Instrumental music for fiddle, mandolin, banjo, guitar, concertina, and bagpipes will be surveyed though the various recordings of “fiddle tunes” by The Boys of the Lough, The Bothy Band, The New Lost City Ramblers, and others. Guest artists and field trips will be scheduled. Musicians and nonmusicians are welcome.