The Folk Music Experience: Songs of War and Peace

This course combines playing traditional folk music and popular music with the study of the contexts in which this music has evolved. For this quarter, we will study songs written during times of war and peace. In class, we will especially consider the role such songs play in anti-war protest movements. Students will be expected to participate in discussions on readings assigned during the first five weeks of the course. In addition, each student will be asked to introduce one song to the class that enriches our knowledge of folk and popular music and the context within which such music has been written and performed, particularly in the context of war and peace. Students will write a short research paper that forms the basis for their presentation on the song and its context. Towards the end of the quarter, students will form small groups and choose a song to practice and perform during the final class of the quarter. Students are encouraged to gain practice at playing one or more folk music instruments during the course and are invited to join the course even if they are beginners at playing an instrument or if they prefer to just sing.