Social Politics of Recent African American Music and Popular Culture

Predominant trend in research in African American music highlights intersection of music with social and political movements, contextual socioeconomic realities, and cultural politics of identity. Civil rights, black power, feminism, sexual revolution, and anti-war were movements that shaped and were shaped by music of their respective historical contexts. Recent scholarship has also engaged questions pertaining to intra-African American politics of community: grappling with issues such as appropriation, economic exploitation, male privilege, and marginalization of creative artists. Examination of critical nexus between music and myriad of issues unearthed by this trend in scholarly study of black music.

Letter grading.