Offered
Clayton First semester 2008 (Day)
Synopsis
This unit is a general introduction to the emerging academic field of Jazz history. Journals and monographs serve as a basis for students to write about Jazz through a broad selection of readings addressing Jazz history, biography, improvisation and world music. Historic centres and styles such as New Orleans and Chicago/ Big Band, and Bebop are launching points into the hardships, trials and triumphs of Jazz greats such as Louis Armstrong, Charlie Parker, and Miles Davis. Readings on improvisation illuminate debates into spontaneous composition or pre-determined expression? Much more than an American genre, Jazz is examined in Europe, Latin America, Africa and Asia.
Objectives
On the successful completion of the unit, students will successfully:
- gain a chronological perspective as to the placement of major historic events and trends in the history of Jazz in society.
- develop a solid foundation for further academic inquiry beyond practical performance into research and scholarship in sociological, biographical and historical topics.
- distinguish between styles, composers and works relevant to both performance Jazz musicology and related fields including ethnomusicology.
Assessment
Assignment: Essay (2000 words): 40%; Written and Listening Final Exam (1.5 hours): 40%; In class exams (4 at 125 words - 500): 20%
Contact hours
1 two-hour session per week
Prohibitions
MUS3390
