MU 243 - History of African American Spirituals and Gospel Song

This course examines the great body of African American religious song that has been created and practiced from slavery to the present day, i.e,, from the ring shout to holy hip-hop. There is a strong focus on the nineteenth century spiritual and the various manifestations of gospel song and performance that have defined much Black religious expression since the Third Great Awakening. This comprehensive class takes into account the historical, social, political, cultural, and musical forces at work in the creation of spirituals and, subsequently, gospel music. Style practice, song recognition and analysis, the use of coded language and signifying, the rhetoric of folk sermons, blind performers and street evangelists, musical forms, composers, preachers, quartets, gospel stars, and more is also considered in this thorough yet entertaining course.

Prerequisites: None

Full course
Liberal Studies Curriculum: Historical Studies