INART 115The Popular Arts in America: Popular Music

3 credits · Integrative Arts · Penn State

INART 115 The Popular Arts in America: Popular Music (3) (GA)(BA) This course meets the Bachelor of Arts degree requirements. INART 115 explores the origins, evolution, and cultural significance of popular music in American society. Beginning with the early roots of popular music in the 19th century, students will examine the influence of African American musical traditions, particularly blues, and the ways in which these forms shaped the development of genres like jazz, country, and rock and roll. The course delves into the rise of jazz in New Orleans, the migration of country music from rural Appalachia to the mainstream, and the revolutionary impact of rock and roll on youth culture in the 1950s and beyond. In addition to exploring the evolution of mainstream pop music through movements like the British Invasion and Motown, students will investigate how music has intersected with social movements, from the Civil Rights era to LGBTQ+ advocacy, and how it reflects and shapes cultural, racial, and gender identities. The course also looks at the role of technology in transforming music consumption, from the early days of radio to the digital revolution, and examines contemporary trends such as hip hop and the global reach of pop culture in the 21st century. Through this lens, students will gain an understanding of popular music as a dynamic cultural force that both shapes and is shaped by the social and historical contexts in which it evolves.