CFH 150 - Rattle and Hum: Reading Music in Literature

Institution:

Washington University in St Louis

Subject:

Description:

This course presents an overview of novels and autobiographies, some written by musicians, that deal with the meaning of music and music making as a core theme. Moving from classical music to contemporary hip-hop, the seminar covers a variety of musical genres and considers the ways in which these different forms have been depicted in literature. How is music described in literature? Can music be understood metaphorically? How does the life story of a musician differ from that of other creative artists, or does it? Do we romanticize the musician and the making of music? Has the presentation of the musician in literature and film changed over time, from jazz to rock to hip-hop? In addition to the novels and memoirs we read, we also consider a range of films, some famous, some not, that deal with music or the lives of musicians, including Jailhouse Rock and 8 Mile. (None of these films are the standard Hollywood or Broadway musical.) Readings range from Tolstoy's The Kreutzer Sonata to John A. Williams' Clifford's Blues, from Loretta Lynn's Coal Miner's Daughter to Bob Dylan's Chronicles, Volume 1.

Credits:

3.00

Credit Hours:

Prerequisites:

Corequisites:

Exclusions:

Level:

Instructional Type:

Lecture

Notes:

Additional Information:

Historical Version(s):

Institution Website:

www.wustl.edu

Phone Number:

(314) 935-5000

Regional Accreditation:

North Central Association of Colleges and Schools

Calendar System:

Semester

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