AFR 223 - Popular Music and Resistance in Africa and the African Diaspora

Institution:

Williams College

Subject:

Africana Studies

Description:

Whether discussing the independence campaigns of African states during the 1950s/60s, the Civil Rights Movement unfolding concurrently in the United States, or 20th century class struggles in the Caribbean and South America, mass-mediated musics have given voice to popular resistance to social, economic, political, racial and cultural disenfranchisement. This course explores popular music as an oppositional tool in Africa and the African Diaspora. A selection of "protest" genres and styles including Afrobeat, Chimurenga, Be-bop, Reggae and Hip-hop will provide case studies for approaching music as politically charged text, allied to specific moments of social change. Relationships between music and Negritude, Pan Africanism, Afrocentrism and other Nationalist ideologies that unify black struggles on all sides of the Atlantic will be examined. However, students will also situate specific case studies within local cultural histories framed by geographical boundaries of nation-state in order to critically explore intersections between genre identity and political discourse. Lectures will make generous use of audio/visual materials.

Credits:

3.00

Credit Hours:

Prerequisites:

Corequisites:

Exclusions:

Level:

Instructional Type:

Seminar

Notes:

Additional Information:

Historical Version(s):

Institution Website:

www.williams.edu

Phone Number:

(413) 597-3131

Regional Accreditation:

New England Association of Schools and Colleges

Calendar System:

Four-one-four plan

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