Lecture: TuTh 5:30 – 6:45 p.m.

Location: Sherman Hall 210

Instructor: Janet Gross

Popular songs around the world spring from outrage about social conditions in a particular time and place. In Protest Songs of Resistance* we will investigate diverse contemporary and historic examples of songs used in various countries to protest or resist existing social conditions. We will explore readings on social movements and Smithsonian Folkways Recordings of protest songs from dozens of countries. Students will choose the specific country's songs and social unrest to research in order to produce original critical and creative essays as well as presentations to enlighten the class. Students may also produce their own original protest songs about contemporary issues in the U.S. or abroad.

This seminar will be conducted in person, and students will be expected to attend class sessions at the regularly scheduled time every week on the UMBC campus.