WOMEN MAKING MUSIC
Professor: Dr. J. Michele Edwards
Music 51:01 Spring 2001
COURSE DESCRIPTION
Approved for
credit towards music major/minor. For
majors, this can be your fourth music literature class (courses about music of
17th-20th centuries are required).
Approved for Women's Studies credit for major/minor.
We will investigate the activities and
roles of women making music, primarily but not exclusively in western
culture—women as performers, consumers, and sponsors as well as composers. We will analyze the representation of
women/female in music, utilize new critical strategies, investigate historical
contexts, and interrogate the impact of gender ideology on music. Music from the 19th and 20th centuries will
receive greater attention than earlier music; popular music will be included
along with concert music.
Among the questions raised by the
course are: what has it meant to be a woman
composer/performer/teacher/etc? How
have women's musical activities and creations differed from those of men? How have musical activities differed among
women by virtue of class, race, or sexual preference? How are music and identity related? We will explore new approaches to the study of music and music
literature—incorporating techniques from recent scholarly developments in other
disciplines, including feminist literary criticism and cultural studies.
The overall approach is topical rather
than chronological. Since covering all
areas of women making music is not possible, we will not attempt to do
this. In order to highlight the
diversity of women and their music—while maintaining a focus for our study, I
have frequently paired or grouped widely divergent music and musical activities
under an umbrella topic.
Activities
In addition to discussion and
activities relating to your individual projects, we will have several guests
during the semester plus films/videos and live performances. I strongly encourage performances by class
members; just see me to arrange this.
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E-MAIL
Throughout the semester, I may find communicating with you via e-mail
most efficient and effective. If you do
not already check/use e-mail regularly, I encourage to do so and will count on
this method of communication. You may
also communicate with me via e-mail,
especially to alert me to any problems with Library Reserve materials or with
questions about your work.
COURSE WEBSITE = http://www.macalester.edu/courses/musi51
PHONE:
696-6521
OFFICE HOURS: posted weekly on my door;
appointments encouraged
Women Making
Music
Last updated
on 29 January 2001