NORAM4503 - Popular Music in the United States as a Reflection of American Culture

Course content

The course will present and analyze a selection of popular music genres, especially (but not exclusively) jazz, country, rock 'n' roll, rhythm 'n' blues, and rap, as characteristic expressions of the society and the culture that created them. This musical/cultural context will both be historical and contemporary, focusing on both important continuities and differences between then and now. The course will also to some extent consider how these expressions of American culture have contributed to the creation of the image of America that is current around the world. The course will make extensive use of audiovisual material as part of the teaching.

Learning outcome

The course attempts to give the students a relatively comprehensive understanding of what characterizes the chosen genres of popular music in the United States and of how these kinds of music are related to the society from which they have emerged. There will also be an emphasis on trying to develop the students' ability to think critically and describe analytically relevant topics from this special field within American popular culture.

Admission

Students at UiO must apply for courses in StudentWeb.

International applicants, if you are not already enrolled as a student at UiO, please see our information about admission requirements and procedures for international applicants.

Minimum 3, maximum 15 students.

The examination in this course is not available for external candidates. Only students admitted to the course may sit for the examination.

Prerequisites

Formal prerequisite knowledge

Admission to the master program. Admission to the course is required.

Teaching

The course is taught throughout the semester with 2 hours per week for ten weeks. There is a mid-term break (one week in autumn term, two weeks in spring term) during which the students are expected to prepare obligatory assignments (see below) and otherwise study on their own. 80% attendance is required.

Examination

The course uses portfolio assessment, where the portfolio consists of a seven-page essay plus a two-hour classroom exam.

Grading scale

Grades are awarded on a scale from A to F, where A is the best grade and F is a fail. Read more about the grading system.

The results will be found on the StudentWeb within three weeks after the exam.

Explanations and appeals

You may request an explanation of your grades, and you may also appeal against your grades or make a complaint about formal examination errors. Read more about explanations and appeals.

Resit an examination

You can usually resit an exam, but the conditions depend on whether you had a valid reason for absence from the regular exam. Read more about resitting an exam.

Withdrawal from an examination

A student may sit this exam up to 3 times. If a student wishes to withdraw from the exam, s/he must do so in StudentWeb at least two weeks prior to the first day of the exam. Failure to do so will be counted as one of the three opportunities to sit the exam.

Special examination arrangements

If you have a disability or a health problem that entails significant inconvenience in an examination situation, you may be considered for special examination arrangements. Mothers who are breastfeeding may apply for extra time to complete the exam.

Evaluation

Feedback from our students is essential to us in our efforts to ensure and further improve the high quality of our programmes and courses. All courses are subject to continuous evaluation. At regular intervals we also ask students on a particular course to participate in a more comprehensive, periodic evaluation of this course.