A survey of the origin, trends, styles and genres of rock and popular music from the early 20th century to the present day, focusing on historical and cultural influences and the effects of technology on popular music.
An examination of how music encodes "queerness" by focusing on significant musical styles and performers in the LGBT community.
Detailed study of opera and musical theater within historical, cultural, political, and social contexts. During the fall semester, the course will focus on upcoming operas performed by the San Francisco Opera.
A survey of Western art music from the Middle Ages to the present, examined within cultural, social, and political contexts. Topics include musical elements, forms, and stylistic features of each historical period, as well as the individual characteristics of its representative composers.
A survey of the music of America's diverse populations such as Native American, Anglo-American, African American, Cajun, Creole, Hawaiian and other styles and genres such as country, Tex-Mex, Klezmer and polka.
An introductory survey of the musical traditions of Latin America, the Caribbean and Latin music in the United States. This course will study music as a form of communication, and as a social and cultural force in the Americas.
A cross-cultural, comparative survey of both historical and recent developments in the music of China, Japan, and Korea, including the relationship of East Asian music to other aspects of East Asian cultures-philosophy, religion, theater, and dance.
A survey of Western art music and literature of the Romantic era (1800 to 1900) and the composers and the cultural and political forces that played a role in the creation of the musical works of that era. Topics include sonatas, chamber music, opera, tone poems, and symphonies.
A survey of musical styles and their social contexts in the 17th and 18th centuries. Topics include the decline of church music, the rise of public concerts and opera, the evolution of the orchestra, symphonies, concertos, suites, and the development of musical instruments.
A survey of musical styles from the 10th century to the early 16th century. The course focuses on evolution of musical styles and the changing social, cultural, economic, and political conditions that gave rise to those styles.