Texts and Materials Used 

All materials for assignments will be distributed and available on Blackboard as well as the Academic Commons, Music of Global America Fall 2023 site. 

As we learn about and listen to musical traditions, instruments, and dance practices from around the globe, where would YOU like to visit, and which musical traditions in culture are YOU interested in? Let’s discuss! Here are a few examples:

• African & African American genres including Spirituals, Blues, Second Line, and Afrobeat;
• Asian/Southeast Asian folk traditions, composers, and video game music
• Caribbean genres including son cubano, música campesina, and reggaeton;
• European genres such as Spanish flamenco, Jewish Klezmer, and Irish folk traditions; 
• Latin American genres from Argentina, Brazil, and Panamá.

Learning Goals and Objectives

1. To recognize and appreciate the diversity and global origins and connections of a variety of American musical practices.
2. To draw connections between sound structure, performance, and the socio-cultural organization of societies.
3. To listen deeply to a variety of musical idioms and styles.
4. To analyze and write critically about a variety of musical idioms and styles.
5. To compile a coherent oral presentation on a select topic of music within its culture.

Course Requirements

The course is divided into five regional themes: Africa, Asia, Caribbean, Europe, and Latin America/Indigenous. You will complete the following assignments over the 15-week semester.

• Complete weekly assigned viewing of video clips, music examples and readings for discussion.
• 2-part Midterm (a word-processed critial essay on a topic/artist/idiom/playlist of your choice), and
• Oral presentation sharing your topic/artist/idiom/playlist of your choice (10-15 minutes).
• Attend 1 live music event (in person) and complete a written description (concert report, see rubric).
• Group activities and discussions.
• 1 Final project (or written exam, to be discussed)
• EXTRA CREDIT assignment(s) are typically made available

Grading Breakdown

Grading System

90-100% – A+ A  A-

80-89% – B+ B B-

70-79% – C+ C C-

60-69% – D+ D D- 

59% or less – Failure

Important Dates for the FALL 2023 Semester (those in bold affect our class)

Friday, August 25	First day of Fall 2023 classes
Thursday, August 31	Last Day to add a course
Monday, September 4	College Closed – No classes scheduled
Friday, September 15 through          Sunday, September 17	No classes scheduled
Monday, September 25	No classes scheduled
Monday, October 9	College Closed. No classes scheduled
Tuesday, October 10	Conversion Day – Classes follow a Monday schedule
Wednesday, November 22	College Closed – No classes schedule
Thursday, November 23 and   Friday, November 24	College Closed – No classes scheduled
Saturday, November 25 and Sunday, November 26	College OPEN – No classes scheduled
Monday, December 11	Last day to withdraw from a course with a “W” grade
Tuesday, December 12 and Wednesday, December 13	Reading Days
Thursday, December 14	Final Exams Begin
Wednesday, December 20	Final Exams End/End of Fall Semester

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Statement on the University’s policy on Academic Integrity: 

The faculty and administration of Brooklyn College support an environment free from cheating and plagiarism. Each student is responsible for being aware of what constitutes cheating and plagiarism and for avoiding both. The complete text of the CUNY Academic Integrity Policy and the Brooklyn College procedure for policy implementation can be found at www.brooklyn.edu/policies. If a faculty member suspects a violation of academic integrity and, upon investigation, confirms that violation, or if the student admits the violation, the faculty member MUST report the violation. Students should be aware that faculty may use plagiarism detection software. 

Statement in reference to the Center for Student Disability Services: 

The Center for Student Disability Services (CSDS) is committed to ensuring students with disabilities enjoy an equal opportunity to participate at Brooklyn College. In order to receive disability-related academic accommodations, students must first be registered with CSDS. Students who have a documented disability or suspect they may have a disability are invited to schedule an interview by calling (718) 951-5538 or emailing Josephine.Patterson@brooklyn.cuny.edu If you have already registered with CSDS, email Josephine.Patterson@brooklyn.cuny.edu or testingcsds@brooklyn.cuny.edu to ensure accommodation emails are sent to your professor. 

Brooklyn College Policy on Providing Accommodations and Academic Adjustments so Students: 

It is the university’s policy to provide reasonable accommodations and academic adjustments, when appropriate, to individuals with disabilities, individuals observing religious practices, individuals who have pregnancy or childbirth-related medical conditions, and individuals who have experienced trauma. 

Brooklyn College Resources for Students: 

• Division of Student Affairs, 2113 Boylan Hall, 718.951.5352, studentaffairs@brooklyn.cuny.edu, 

• Ivana Bologna, Esq. Title IX Coordinator, 2147 Boylan Hall, 718.951.5000, ext. 6468, 

Ivana.Bologna@brooklyn.cuny.edu 

• Anthony Brown, Esq. Chief Diversity Officer and Special Assistant to the President, 2147 Boylan Hall, 718.951.4128, Anthony.Brown@brooklyn.cuny.edu 

Undocumented students – As the nation’s largest urban public university system, CUNY is dedicated to educating and advocating for the immigrant students and families who make up the lifeblood of our city and state. 

Liaisons at Brooklyn College:

Leslie Ramirez-Carbajal
Immigrant Student Success Program Coordinator
l.ramirezcarbajal@brooklyn.cuny.edu

Jesus Perez – TheDream.US Liaison
Director of Immigrant Student Success Office
Jesus.Perez@cuny.edu

Marcus Richardson
Director of Financial Aid
MRichardson@brooklyn.cuny.edu