The Study of Contemporary Music Trends Part 2 will continue to explore the roots of contemporary American music. After completing this course, students will have gained a deeper understanding and appreciation for various forms of contemporary music, ranging from rock to jazz to country. This course will focus on the social, technological, and artistic trends that helped create and shape music of the 1980s through present times. Students will explore the history of each form and the role of music in the modern world.
It is recommended that students successfully complete The Study of Contemporary Music Trends Part 1 or equivalent course work before enrolling in this course.
Course Objectives
Unit 1: Essential Content and Skills
- Examine
the importance and value of studying the history and development of
contemporary music.
- Examine
the continued development of contemporary music in the 1980s, including the
technological, social, and artistic trends that influenced this development.
- Explore
some of the styles of music that developed during this time period.
- Discover
some of the artists associated with this period.
- Analyze,
compare, and contrast the different styles of music.
Unit 2: Essential Content and Skills
- Examine
the continued development of contemporary music in the 1990s and early 2000s,
including the technological, social, and artistic trends that influenced this
development.
- Explore
some of the styles of music that developed during this time period.
- Discover
some of the artists associated with this period.
- Analyze,
compare, and contrast the different styles of music.
- Discover
some of the important social, artistic, and technological influences that led
to the organization of modern rock concerts.
Unit 3: Essential Content and Skills
- Examine
musical theater, film music, worldbeat music, and reggae music, and the impact
these styles have had on the larger world of popular music.
- Discover
some of the artists associated with these styles of music.
- Analyze,
compare, and contrast the different styles.
- Review
several important technological developments that have occurred throughout the
history of popular music.
- Analyze
how these developments have influenced, and will continue to influence, the
development of popular music.
Unit 4: Essential Content and Skills
- Explore
ten of the most important albums in the history of popular music.
- Examine
ways in which artistic, social, and technological trends influenced the creation
of each album.
- Examine
the influence each of these albums has had on the continued development of
popular music.
- Analyze,
compare, and contrast the different artists and styles associated with these
albums.
Course Materials
- All
Music Guide: The Definitive Guide to
Popular Music (textbook)