Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Spring 2017 - CMNS 321 E100

Cultural Production of Popular Music (4)

Class Number: 8503

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Jan 4 – Apr 7, 2017: Wed, 5:30–8:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Prerequisites:

    CMNS 221.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

Examination of the cultural production of popular music with emphasis on the relationship between the nature and strategies of popular music production and the patterns of its audience consumption.

COURSE DETAILS:

Overview:

The study of popular music is at once the study of social values, preferences, and aesthetic choices, just as it is the critical interrogation of the non-musical practices with which musical listening is associated. As such, this course explores musical genres that include the likes of pop, dance, rap, and rock, as well as the cultural, technological, and economic practices that shape the production and consumption of popular music. Drawing from a number of theoretical perspectives, we will contextualize the multifarious and oftentimes contradictory dimensions of popular music, while historicizing the competing discourses, subject positions, cultural practices, and ideologies that constitute them. From the performances of the nineteenth century virtuoso to the transnational digital network, we will trace the ways that industrial organization, aesthetics, imagery, social protest, resistance, media technology, and individual style are all present in the production, dissemination, and consumption of popular music. Our aim is ultimately to develop an interpretative framework with which to evaluate the evolution of popular music and the popular music industry more broadly.

Grading

  • Mid-Term Exam 25%
  • Performance Review Assignment 20%
  • Term Paper Proposal 5%
  • Term Paper 30%
  • Tutorial Presentation 10%
  • Tutorial Participation 10%

NOTES:

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 S10.01 with respect to Academic Integrity, and PoliciesS10.02, S10.03 and S10.04 as regards Student Discipline. [Note: as of May 1, 2009 the previous T10 series of policies covering Intellectual Honesty (T10.02), and Academic Discipline (T10.03) have been replaced with the new S10 series of policies.]

A minimum CGPA of 2.25, and approval as a communication student is required for entry into most communication upper division courses.

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

All required readings will be made available through the course website.

Registrar Notes:

SFU’s Academic Integrity web site http://students.sfu.ca/academicintegrity.html is filled with information on what is meant by academic dishonesty, where you can find resources to help with your studies and the consequences of cheating.  Check out the site for more information and videos that help explain the issues in plain English.

Each student is responsible for his or her conduct as it affects the University community.  Academic dishonesty, in whatever form, is ultimately destructive of the values of the University. Furthermore, it is unfair and discouraging to the majority of students who pursue their studies honestly. Scholarly integrity is required of all members of the University. http://www.sfu.ca/policies/gazette/student/s10-01.html

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS