SCHOOL OF COMMUNICATION

CMNS 321-4

THE CULTURAL PRODUCATION OF POPULAR MUSIC

Prerequisite:

CMNS 221

This course focuses on key issues in the critical analysis of culture, communication and popular music. Theoretical problems in media/communication studies constitute the thematic framework for the study of popular music from cultural, political, social, and historical perspectives.
Themes, controversies, and issues include: concepts of culture and popular culture; political dimensions of popular music; technology and cultural production; the commodification of music and culture; ethnicities, cultural identities, and music; ritual, cultural practices and popular music; production, promotion, and the marketplace; local cultures and popular music; history, memory and popular music; postcolonial theory and popular music; authenticity and popular culture. The course proceeds from the theoretical foundations established in CMNS 221 (Media and Audiences)

Evaluation:

Mid-term examination (October 17)……...................……………… 20%
Tutorial (participation and reports)...................…………..……………… 15%
Final take-home examination (November 28- December 5) .......………… 25%
Major term paper (due November 21at the beginning of the class)…… 40%

A course syllabus and course reading package will be available in the first class. There will be additional resource materials handed out throughout the semester including a list of suggested readings and a reference guide of films and musical selections used in lecture.
Please note that the first class of the semester (September 5) is scheduled as a full two-hour lecture.

The School expects that the grades awarded in this course will bear some reasonable relation to established university-wide practices with respect to both levels and distribution of grades. In addition, the School will follow Policy T10.02 with respect to “Intellectual Honesty” and “Academic Discipline” (see the current Calendar, General Regulations section).