MUSIC 22Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies in Music

3 credits · Music · Penn State

This is an introductory survey course that fulfills both the General Education requirement in the Arts (GA) and United States culture requirement (US). MUSIC 22 is an introduction to how gender and sexuality has shaped musical canons in classical, popular, and vernacular styles. Students will explore the intersections of music and gender through four viewpoints: Networks, Composition, Performance, and Reception. Throughout this course, students will be encouraged to create time and space to consider, analyze, and discuss the shifting meanings of gender and sexuality and how they have been represented historically through multiple genres of music and affected the production and public perception of music from the United States, within the Western canon, and worldwide. Class meetings may include activities such as lectures, group discussions, individual and group exercises, and guest speakers. Assigned readings and class meetings will be designed to help students re-examine common gender and cultural stereotypes surrounding the music industry and its history and give students the necessary skills to scrutinize past and present musicians and their works from a new perspective. Assessments may include in-person and online discussions, short papers, longer research papers, quizzes, and other creative activities.