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Soc 71: Sociology of popular music
BC 214, 6:30-9:50

Prof. Dipannita Basu
Broad Center, 215
Ext: (909) 607-2833
Email: dbasu@pitzer.edu
Office hours 2-4 Tuesday and by appointment

Course description.

Popular music is omnipresent. We've all bought it, listened to it, danced to it, developed fashions and identities through it. Now we are going to study it. This course concentrates on primarily reggae, dancehall, hip-hop and dance music (house to UK underground garage). These genres provide the sonic prism through which to examine: the societal conditions in which music emerges; authenticity and appropriation (how popular music thrives on borrowing customizing and reinterpreting other people's cultural property); the representation/production and consumption of music (i.e. the media and music industry), and the political and social implications of popular music (gender, race, globalization). The final project will enable you to pursue own critical analysis of a music that interests you.


Required readings.

The following books are available for purchase at Huntley or click the book title to purchase from Barnes and Nobles online.

Additional materials will be handed out in class.


Course details.
  1. Three book reviews (60%)
  2. Attendance and participation in class and at the conference (20%)
  3. Final music project (20%)

  1. Book reviews.
    You have a choice of reviewing three of the four books in the course. The authors of two books, Tricia Rose (Black noise), and Mark Anthony Neal (What the music said) will be conference participants (as will two others authors in the course materials, Craig Watkins and Brian Cross). Because you have an opportunity to read their books, and meet them, two of the three book reviews will be on their material. For the third choice, you can either review Norman Stolzoff (Wake the town and tell the people) or Altered state.

    The books reviews are due as follows.
    February 13th: Wake up and tell the town
    March 6th: What the music said
    March 27th: Black noise
    April 17th: Altered state

  2. Attendance.
    Attendance is mandatory in class. More than two absences will reduce your final grade. Conference attendance is also mandatory. You should ensure that you leave the 30-31st of March free so you can attend. There is also an opportunity to go to the premiere screening of Keeping time, in LA, on January 27th at 7:30 pm. If enough interest is shown, I will arrange for travel from Claremont to LA.

  3. Final project.
    The aim of this project is to give you an opportunity to focus on a topic of your choice, so that you can apply the concepts and tools gained in the course to critically examine an issue of concern or interest to you. Previous student research has included the politics of rap in Turkey, the politics and ideology of rap and 'underground' hip hop, an analysis of punk lyrics and their socio-historical context, a comparison of heavy metal and rap in their portrayals of gender Others have given musical performances (Dj'ing, scratching, different dance styles of Latin American music) You have the choice of presenting the project in groups. The paper should be 6-8 pages long. It should list appropriate references and sources. Further details will be given in class.

    LATE PAPERS WILL BE MARKED DOWN ON A DAILY BASIS.
    PLEASE DO NOT BE LATE FOR CLASS -- IT IS UNEXCEPTABLE AND RUDE.

If you are looking for the course schedule and assignments, click here.

Assistant Professor, Sociology and Black Studies
Pitzer College
Broad Center, 215
(909) 607-2833
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