Cross Listed as MUS234
Over the past 100 years, West African highlife, Congolese rumba, and South African jazz and other urban musics have arisen all over the African continent. More recently, rap has taken root, changing the musical landscape in Africa's cities. Although these urban musics are entertaining, they have a deeper significance. They help Africans retain a link to tradition while recognizing the impact of urbanization, globalization, and other modern influences on lives of people in contemporary Africa. We will examine several styles of urban dance music and the multiplicity of meanings these musics may carry through reading texts, watching videos, and learning to perform music from Zimbabwe and Ghana with Forward Kwenda, Bernard Woma, and Ernest Brown. In addition to attending class, students will be expected to attend rehearsals with the Zambezi Marimba Band TR 4-6:30 PM and some weekends, participate in a concert of mbira music with Forward Kwenda on Nov. 7, and participate in a concert of Zimbabwean and Ghanaian dance music with Kusika (date TBA).
Class Format: seminar and rehearsal/performance
Requirements/Evaluation: three 5- to 7-page papers & related oral presentations; attendance & participation in class, lab & concerts; evaluation based on papers & oral presentations 60%; participation in rehearsals & two concerts 20%; improvement in performance skills 20%
Additional Info:
Prerequisites: an intermediate level of performance skill in any kind of music or dance
Enrollment Preference: if overenrolled, audition will be required
Department Notes:
Material and Lab Fees:
Distribution Notes: meets Division 1 requirement if registration is under MUS; meets Division 2 requirement if registration is under AFR
Divisional Attributes: Division II
Other Attributes: AFR Interdepartmental Electives, MUS Group A Electives
Enrollment Limit: 10
Expected Enrollment: 10
| CLASSES | ATTR | INSTRUCTORS | TIMES |
|---|---|---|---|
| AFR234-01(F) SEM Urban African Dance Music |  |
Cancelled |