Course Code: SOCI 2002
Academic Year: 2024-2025
Music may be ubiquitous but its role in society is multifaceted and complex. It has the power to move us to the greatest emotional heights or depths, act as an agent of ideology, assist in worship, celebrate life's events and memories, facilitate a sense of community, contribute to our own unique identity, or simply make our shopping environment or elevator ride more hospitable. But music does not just happen on its own; it is what we make it, and what we make of it. This course explores important sociological themes through the study of musical expression in North America. Students critically analyze the influence of technology, ideology, aesthetics, class, ethnicity, race, age and gender, on various genres of music including jazz, heavy metal, hip hop, punk rock, country music, World Beat and rock 'n' roll.