Study Programmes 2015-2016
MUSI0035-1  
History of Afro-American music
Duration :
30h Th
Number of credits :
Master in communication (120 ECTS)4
Master in modern languages and literatures : German, Dutch and English (120 ECTS)5
Master in modern languages and literatures : general (120 ECTS)5
Master in history of art and archaeology : musicology (120 ECTS)5
Master in history of art and archaeology : musicology (120 ECTS)5
Lecturer :
Robert Sacré
Language(s) of instruction :
French language
Organisation and examination :
Teaching in the first semester, review in January
Units courses prerequisite and corequisite :
Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program
Course contents :
African Roots : music in Western Africa BEFORE and DURING the Slave Trade (17th -19th c) The music of African slaves in Colonial America from 1604 to 1775 Black Music in America from Independence till the Civil War ( 1775-1865) Emergence of NEGRO SPIRITUALS (1865) followed by GOSPEL SONGS (end of 19thc ) The birth of the BLUES ( c.1875) and JAZZ ( c.1900); maturation till 1920. Depending on time and geography emergence and development of various styles of African American music (religious styles, blues styles and jazz schools) from 1920 till nowadays Related music styles emerging in the XXth century : R&B, Soul music, disco, rap,... Influence exercised on Occidental music in the XX th - XXI st c. and on African American literature. Audition of records + audio documents and comments Vision of films, DVDs and video VHS related to African American music and literature.
Learning outcomes of the course :
  • To give a large view of the chronology of the rise and development of African American music and to put it in perspective with the courses of History, History of Art, History of Cinema and with the general literature of the same period.
  • To be aware that, since the beginning of the 20thc. till today, African American music influenced every kind of Western music (classical and contemporary styles, pop music, entertainment music, music in the movies, French popular music, British pop music, etc....) and still does.
  • To be able to identify et characterize the main eras and periods of the story of African American music.
  • To be able to recognize and to describe the main styles of African American music and popular music when listening to records and to music samples in general.
Prerequisite knowledge and skills :
Musical knowledge is not required.
A practice of American-English is recommended (reading and oral understanding chiefly)
Planned learning activities and teaching methods :
During the teaching period (September-December) , the students will attend at least FOUR concerts ( blues, jazz, gospel, rock, R&B,....) according to the public offer at that time of the year . More concerts are recommended, with completely free choice, in order to discover new and/or unknown styles of music, related , even slightly, or not to African American music.
Mode of delivery (face-to-face ; distance-learning) :
Face to face
Recommended or required readings :
A summary of the course, illustrations and musical samples will be on line.
Be aware that the "course contents" is not exhaustive and could be modified during the period.
Assessment methods and criteria :
Written exam in 3 parts ( 100 p.)
  • A series of Musical samples : you'll be able to identify a soloist and/or/group, a composer, a style and/or a period (30 p.).
  • All the samples have been played during the course and are available on the web site
  • A series of small questions on given parts of the course (50 p.)
  • 2 open questions requiring large developments (20 p.)
Work placement(s) :
Organizational remarks :
Contacts :
r.sacre@ulg.ac.be & cpirenne@ulg.ac.be