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MUS-110 History of Rock Music

This is a survey course that traces the history of British and American rock music. Beginning with its roots in jazz, rhythm and blues, and country and western music, the course traces the development of Rock to the present day and examines the cultural, economic, and social contexts of the music. We will study the music of Chuck Berry, the Beatles, the Rolling Stones, Jimi Hendrix, Led Zeppelin, Metallica, Nirvana, and many more artists. This course carries SUNY General Education The Arts credit

Credits

3

Department

  • Visual and Performing Arts

Course Rotation Schedule

  • Fall: Online
  • Spring: Online
For more detailed course information view the Course Outline

MUS 110: History of Rock Music

Department

Visual and Performing Arts

Course Description

This is a survey course that traces the history of British and American rock music. Beginning with its roots in jazz, rhythm and blues, and country and western music, the course traces the development of Rock to the present day and examines the cultural, economic, and social contexts of the music. We will study the music of Chuck Berry, the Beatles, the Rolling Stones, Jimi Hendrix, Led Zeppelin, Metallica, Nirvana, and many more artists. This course carries SUNY General Education The Arts credit

Credit Hours

3

Contact Hours

Lecture3
Lab0
Other0

Grading Scheme

Letter

SUNY General Education Course

  • The Arts

Course Learning Outcomes

  1. Describe the elements of music, such as form, melody, harmony, rhythm, beat, and instrumentation that define the various styles of Rock.
  2. Relate Rock music to its social and cultural contexts.
  3. Develop a framework for the critical evaluation of Rock music.

Topic Outline

  1. 1. Unit 1: Studying rock
  2.     a. What to listen for
  3.         i. Form
  4.         ii. Melody
  5.         iii. Beat
  6.         iv. Rhythm
  7.         v. Instrumentation
  8. 2. Unit 2: The roots of rock and roll (1920s, 1930s, and 1940s)
  9.     a. Ragtime, Tin Pan Alley, big bands, and country and western
  10.     b. Bluegrass
  11.     c. Rural and urban blues
  12.     d. Rhythm and blues
  13. 3. Unit 3: Early rock and roll and the rise of soul (1950s)
  14.     a. Chuck Berry, Little Richard, Fats Domino, Elvis Presley, and Jerry Lee Lewis
  15.     b. Rockabilly
  16.     c. Soul
  17. 4. Unit 4: The British Invasion and American responses (1960s)
  18.     a. The Beatles, the Rolling Stones, the Yardbirds, and the Who
  19.     b. Folk rock, the Byrds, Bob Dylan, and the Beach Boys
  20. 5. Unit 5: Motown and Southern soul; psychedelia (1960s, continued)
  21.     a. Berry Gordy, Chicago R&B, James Brown, and Aretha Franklin
  22.     b. Drugs
  23.     c. San Francisco, London, L.A., and New York
  24.     d. Woodstock
  25. 6. Unit 6: The 1970s
  26.     a. American blues rock
  27.     b. Southern rock
  28.     c. Progressive rock
  29.     d. Jazz-rock fusion
  30.     e. Country rock
  31.     f. Reggae
  32.     g. Disco
  33.     h. Punk
  34. 7. Unit 7: The 1980s
  35.     a. MTV
  36.     b. Hip-hop
  37.     c. Heavy metal
  38.     d. Rap
  39.     e. Indie rock
  40. 8. Unit 8: The 1990s
  41.     a. Alternative rock
  42.     b. Progressive rock
  43.     c. Rap rock
  44.     d. Grunge
  45. 9. Unit 9: The 2000s
  46.     a. The internet
  47.     b. Technology and rock
  48.     c. Mainstream rock (Pink, Kelly Clarkson, and Lady Gaga)
  49.     d. Alternative (Nirvana and Pearl Jam)
  50.     e. Alternative metal