MUS 235 Folk Music Traditions
This course provides an introduction to the rich folk music revivals in the U.S. from the 1950s to the present, including past and current influences from African diasporic, Arabic, Native American, Caribbean, Latin American, Irish, British, Jewish/Yiddish and other sources. Focusing on notable musicians and songwriters, as well as collectors, labels and festivals that have identified, promoted and distributed folk music, the course examines how the pursuit of social justice and equity have animated much of the music making. The course also contextualizes U.S. folk music traditions within worldwide practices of balladry, oral history, social commentary and community coherence.