We'll study the history of political song, starting with the Wobblies during World War I, labor songs of Woody Guthrie and Ruth Crawford Seeger during the 1940s, political songs by the Weavers, Harry Belafonte and Paul Robeson in the 1950s, anti-nuclear songs from the early 1960s, the songs of Bob Dylan, Phil Ochs and Pete Seeger from the late 60s and early 70s, and Bruce Springsteen, Ani DeFranco, Tracy Chapman and others from contemporary times.
In addition to listening to songs by these artists and reading and analyzing their lyrics, we'll also analyze these songs musically, and learn the basics of music theory and ear-training.
Students will be encouraged to write two or three of their own songs, using musical and lyrical techniques they've learned from the songs we study, and reflecting current political issues.
Students will be asked to study, write a paper, and give an extended presentation on the works of a current political artist who's work they are not already familiar with, from a country other than the United States. The class may attend concerts of politically active performers in Olympia, Seattle, Tacoma or Portland.
Anticipated Credit Equivalencies:
3 - Songwriting
3 - Ear Training
2 - Radical American History
Registration
Academic Details
Performing Arts, American Studies, Creative Writing.
$50 fee covers performance tickets