courses taught
Studies in Popular Music (USF)
This course is a historical survey course on popular music in the United States covering more than 150 years from the mid-nineteenth century up to the present. We begin by exploring definitions of popular music and will start with the Postwar Early Rock ‘n Roll genre, chronologically progressing up to Early Hip Hop. We will then explore the roots of popular music by taking a critical look at Minstrelsy in the nineteenth century and its problematic aspects of racism, and chronologically studying the popular genres up to the Second World War. The interdependence of African American and European American cultures that essentially formed popular music is the core theme of this course. Examining culture and identity through social movements, technological developments, and historical events—all through the lens of popular music are key aspects of this course.
Asian Musical Cultures (USF)
This introductory survey course explores the sounds, histories, cultures, communities, modes of engagements, and sociopolitical aspects of influential musical styles found in Asia—and in Asian American communities in the United States. The course covers a wide range of the musical styles, from venerable classics to contemporary popular musical practices. Issues of ethnicity, gender, class, diversity, identity, and cultural politics will be addressed continuously throughout the semester.
Music Appreciation (UCSC, USF)
This course provides an introduction to the history and development of Western Art Music (a.k.a. “Classical” Music) from the Middle Ages to the present. In particular, it presents key genres of classical musics as they developed through the ages. The course will not only give students an overview of the main styles, forms, and people in music history, but will also equip them with tools to break the music apart, to tease the elements of form, rhythm, timbre, texture, meter, melody, harmony, etc. out of the music, as well as to place genres in their historic, cultural, and societal place. The Classical Music repertoire will be examined and discussed in light of the social, political, economic, and artistic situation of the musicians involved as well as of the milieu in which they moved. The music and the societies studied will be put into dialogue with contemporary experiences.
Music of Japan (USF)
Music of Japan is a course that explores the sounds, histories, cultures, communities, modes of engagements, and sociopolitical aspects of musical styles found in Japan, from traditional to contemporary musical practices. Issues of ethnicity, gender, class, diversity, identity, and cultural politics will be addressed. Three themes provide the focus and guide the selection of music: 1) the interface of Japan with other cultures; 2) the gradual process of popularization that has occurred in the musical arts from historical times to the present, and 3) intertextuality in Japanese musical arts. Students will participate in a workshop that will teach Japanese taiko, and the workshop will culminate in a performance on campus.
Seminar on Rhythm and Time (UOP)
This course will take a deep dive into the connection between rhythm, time, and expression. What it means to “play rhythmically” and how it drives expression in music. We will explore and analyze its components, historic relationships, period practices and significance in western art music as well as global interpretations of rhythm and time. The first part of the course will look within western art music, and we will have discussions on interpreting meter/rhythm/tempo and de-code these elements in western musical notation through theoretical text and applied performing. The second part of the course will explore and analyze notions of rhythm & time in non-western cultural areas, including West Africa, Japan, and India. Students will participate through discussions and will play on their instruments or sing.
Music of the World's Peoples (UOP)
Music of the World’s Peoples is a course that provides an overview of musical traditions throughout the world by focusing on case studies from the following nine geo-cultural regions: East-Asia, Southeast Asia, South Asia, Middle East, Oceania, Africa, Europe, South America, and North America. A variety of genres that often fall within the definition of traditional, folk, popular (world), and art music (classical) are examined within their cultural contexts.
Women in Music (UCSC)
This course is designed to give an overview of the role of women in a wide variety of musical cultures and genres. Students will analyze musical works and the manner in which women are portrayed as performers, producers, audience members, and consumers. Major topics covered include: women in popular musics, women in Western art (classical) music, and women in non-Western music. Through the course of this class, students are expected to gain critical listening skills, become familiar with musical fundamentals, and improve their ability to discuss and analyze cultural and social issues in terms of feminist theory.
Introduction to World Music (UCSC, USF)
Introduction to World Music is a course for non-music majors that provides an overview of musical traditions throughout the world by focusing on case studies from the following ten geo-cultural regions: East Asia, Southeast Asia, South Asia, Middle East, Central Asia, Oceania, Africa, Europe, South America, and North America. In addition to familiarizing themselves with musics from these regions, students are encouraged to question the formation of such boundaries and of such categories as “world music,” “traditional music,” and “folk music.” A variety of genres that often fall within the definition of tradition, folk, popular, and art music are examined within their cultural contexts. This course also gives attention to the manner in which world musics are globalized and commodified by the media and recording industries; as such, it encourages the use of native terms for musical concepts, instruments, and genres whenever possible.
Class and Race in Japanese Performing Arts (UCSC)
This course is an introduction into four distinct genres of Japanese performing arts: Kabuki theater, Joryuri storytelling, Taiko drumming, and indigenous Ainu music. The course will study their musical styles and history and investigate how they are defined by class and race. The class will include lectures, videos, group discussions, and presentations by student topic groups. Topic Groups of three to four members will focus on a particular aspect of each genre, form questions on their topic, research their topic, and give a presentation on their topic for each genre.