Week 2

What is "Global America?" 

This course is called "Music in Global America." What does that mean? What is "Global America?"

^^^Each week I'll give you a little blurb like this at the top of the lesson, then a video or other introduction below it. Even if you don't have a lot of time at the beginning of the week, I recommend logging in on Monday to read the intro. so you catch important information. 

Video From Prof. S

Most weeks, I'll post a video to watch related to the lesson. This week's video is an introduction to the concept of "global America" by demonstrating a style of "American" music that evolved from pre-existing music. Most videos will not be this long, since this includes a musical demonstration of the blues.

Semester Projects

The next two videos introduce ideas for a 40-point semester-long project you can do in this course. You don't *have* to do a semester project; it's just one possible way to earn points. Most students choose to do the weekly tasks, but if you are interested in learning an instrument, or working on something toward a thesis for your major, this is your chance. If you'd rather just work on small weekly projects, no need to watch these videos. 

Many projects featured in this video are here for you to check out: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1Buwxp7MnCnioy91fpBBiws07H_GDZ-Uv?usp=sharing

Two are not in that Drive folder; you can access the lullaby project here and the website on Chinese music here. The Chinese music project was for a different class I teach. You can model the format, but your project must include a strong connection to the concept of "global America" (that project didn't since it was for a different course). 

This second video provides more info. on how to pursue an instrument-learning project, and an overall timeline for any project you choose. 

Week 2 To-Do List

The Lesson

Each week, a lesson description will be included here. You never have to explore everything in the lesson; choose half of the material unless directions say otherwise. Sometimes students complain that this is a lot of work. If this was a face-to-face course you'd spend 3 hrs/week in class, plus HW. If it's taking you more than 4 hours to complete the weekly lesson and tasks, let's talk. Otherwise, understand that this is a normal workload. 

For Week 2's lesson: 

Each resource in this lesson is an example of how music from outside the US has an influence here, and vice versa. This week we are getting a sense of what we mean by "Music in Global America." What is "global America?" There isn't a single definition, but collectively we'll begin to shape an understanding by digging into music concepts this week from/in the US. Click on the title of each link below to access the source. Clicl the drop-down arrows for more details.

Lesson material:

This course focuses largely on music that originated in the United States, almost all of which is linked to the transatlantic slave trade (with the exception of traditional Native American music). Slaves from West Africa brought music practices to the US, and those practices morphed and evolved to form the foundation of much of the music we listen to today. Notice how many genres evolve out of slave songs and dances on this timeline. 

After reviewing this timeline, click "Explore Stories" and choose at least one topic to learn about. Or, click the name of any music genre on the timeline to find a page where you can learn more. This website is a treasure trove for American music history; feel free to reference it any time for work you submit this semester. Please listen to the music linked on the website too; you'll get so much more out of this course if you listen to music in the lessons instead of only reading about it and moving on. 

2. "Progression Obsession" (30-min. audio)

Have you ever noticed that a lot of pop songs sound the same? That's partially because of the chord progressions - the musical roadmaps of songs. One of the most common chord progressions in American pop music today is actually thought to have originated in Europe in the 1700s. Learn more on this episode of the podcast Twenty Thousand Hertz.

This is one of my favorite podcasts. Unrelated to class, here are some other 5-star episodes:

3. "Hip-Hop's Reach Goes Global" (8-min. audio) 

Hip hop originated in the US and then spread to have an influence worldwide. We'll explore this in greater depth later in the semester, but for now, here is an interview with Jeff Chang, who writes about international hip-hop. This is an old interview (2007) but gives a sense of how influential hip-hop has been worldwide.

4. "Scotch Snaps in Hip Hop" (8-min. video)

The "Scotch Snaps" rhythm common in hip hop music is an example of an aspect of music that migrates, evolves, and influences "American" music. There are many other examples of rhythms migrating to the US from elsewhere. The clave rhythm is a great example - it is thought to have originated in West African bell and drum patterns, migrated to Cuba through the transatlantic slave trade, evolved into many different clave patterns (son, rumba, etc.), then continued its migration to other countries and music styles. Can you think of other examples of rhythms or elements of music that migrated from one country to another? 

The Japanese video game music industry has greatly influenced American culture. Diggin' In The Carts is a documentary series that describes that history. The entire series is linked above, but for this week, you only need to check out the first episode. Feel free to check out the rest of the series if this is interesting to you. 


There are SO many ways that music produced in other countries has influenced music and culture in the US. It's impossible to cover the entire world in our weekly lessons, but you are always free to branch out and explore more for a research project, learn about a song to share on the #listen channel on Slack, etc. One semester, three students teamed up to do a research project on music from the game Genshin Impact and studied how effectively (or not) it represents different aspects of the countries it's supposed to be from. If this is interesting to you, DM me on Slack to learn how you might do a project on a game you enjoy. 

K-pop originated in South Korea, influenced by American genres such as hip-hop, rock, American pop music, and the American boy band tradition. In 2020, K-pop fans ("K-pop Stans") had quite an impact in the US. We will learn more about K-Pop when we get to our week on music of Asia, but for now, consider how K-pop has influenced society in the US. 

Have you ever heard an ice cream truck playing the "Turkey In The Straw" melody? In the US, this tune was associated with ice cream as the truck approached. The song dates to the 19th century but can be traced to an older British song, "The (Old) Rose Tree," brought to America's colonies by Scottish and Irish immigrants. Read about its history from the NPR program, Code Switch.  


Here is an update on Good Humor's replacement jingle, by music producer/founding member of the Wu-Tang Clan, RZA: https://www.goodhumor.com/us/en/jingle.html

Abstract: "This article offers an overview of musical nationalism. It considers how states have used music as a political tool as well as the ways in which communities have employed music to reject national identities and challenge nation-states."

This article has an accompanying playlist linked here.  Note that our course focuses specifically on music in/of "global America." Think about how the ideas in this article might be applicable to the idea of "music in global America." 

Next Steps: 

After exploring Week 2's lesson, complete a side quest on time management (2 points). You can also post on the "Welcome" forum of the discussion board for another 2 points. Normally you'll also have an expedition to complete for 5 points, but this week everyone will just automatically get 5 points for that, no need to do anything. 

Week 2 Quest: Time Management

Time management is an incredibly important skill that gets too little attention in formal education settings. Here is an opportunity to earn points while working on yours.

Instructions:

Skim the list linked at right and choose one approach you're not already using (do you know your Personal Einstein Window, for instance?). Read your chosen section in depth and reflect on what you can do to implement that aspect of time management in your life. After a few days, report on the experience on the Google Form linked here.

that's it - you're done for the week

Next week I'll provide more information on other ways you can earn points. This course is a bit like a "choose your own adventure;" there you need 100 points for an A+, but you'll have opportunities to earn way more than that. 

Now you know the weekly routine: Explore the lesson, complete tasks, interact online, repeat until you reach 100 points. 

Next lesson: Week 3 - Research Strategies