MUSC 283 Music of Los Angeles

In this course we will examine the diverse musical cultures (historical and contemporary) of Los Angeles, paying particular attention to the ways music negotiates intercultural encounters. As we survey the musical cultures of Native American, European, Asian, African, and Middle Eastern descendants in the Los Angeles area, we will think about how musical styles, repertoires, instrumentation, and texts are transformed by urban dwellers as they respond to the changing political, economic, and social landscapes of the city. Students will undertake both individual research projects on the Los Angeles-area musical culture of their choice and a digital group project on the local Spanish-language ska scene.