About this course: Explores the factors — musical and cultural — that led to the birth of American rock 'n' roll music in the early 1950s. Covers in detail the genres, styles and people that converged to create this new music.
Created by: University of Florida
Taught by: Professor David Carlson, Executive Director of the Center for Media Innovation + Research and Cox/Palm Beach Post Professor of New Media Journalism
College of Journalism & Communication: Center for Media Innovation
| Language | English |
| How To Pass | Pass all graded assignments to complete the course. |
| User Ratings |
Syllabus
WEEK 1
Four basic themes of our course
Some basic tenets of rock 'n' roll
5 videos
Graded: Lesson 1
WEEK 2
In the beginning: American popular music
There were many, many genres, styles and sub styles of American pop
11 videos
Graded: Popular music
WEEK 3
The blues: Mississippi Ghosts 1
The Mississippi Delta, an area surrounding the Mississippi River, becomes the cradle of the blues
5 videos
Graded: Mississippi Ghosts 1
WEEK 4
The blues: Mississippi Ghosts 2
The legend of Robert Johnson and his visit to "the crossroads"
9 videos
Graded: Mississippi Ghosts 2
WEEK 5
A tale of three cities: New Orleans
New Orleans is the city of jazz
5 videos
Graded: New Orleans
WEEK 6
A tale of three cities: Chicago
Chicago is where the blues went electric
5 videos
Graded: Chicago
WEEK 7
A tale of three cities: Memphis
The delivery room of rock 'n' roll
6 videos
Graded: Memphis
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University of Florida
The University of Florida (UF) is recognized nationally and internationally as a leader in academic excellence, both on campus and online. Ranked in the top 20 of Public Universities, the University of Florida is the state’s oldest university and has a long established tradition of academic excellence.
Pricing
| Audit | Purchase Course | |
|---|---|---|
| Access to course materials | Available | Available |
| Access to graded materials | Not available | Available |
| Receive a final grade | Not available | Available |
| Earn a shareable Course Certificate | Not available | Available |
Ratings and Reviews
Very interesting. The teacher is a great motivator and the bravery for using the songs arguing that it is for educational purposes was very important. Other courses where music is not reproduced are kind of boring.
Very good.
fun course
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AC
This course was very informative. I was enlightened to learn how music migrated from New Orleans to Chicago due to the economy. I was surprised to learn that rock was not initially accepted by mainstream America - that it was considered "lowbrow". I learned how rock artists of the 70's did many covers of blues genre artists. I was surprised to learn how the Rolling Stones came up with their band name. Overall, I was impressed how music crossed race lines in a country that was/is extremely segregated. It makes you wonder where music will be in another fifty years.