2020-21 Academic Catalog

In the twentieth century, the U.S. and Western Europe saw a sharp rise in totalitarian governments that weaponized all parts of culture as part of their quest for ultimate control. These governments used music as propaganda and hired art composers whose skill could demonstrate the preeminence of their homeland, and who were required to pledge ideological loyalty. In this class, students will conduct research on twentieth-century art music that was used to promote or subvert state authority. They will seek to understand aesthetics, identity, contracts, social networks, musical form and style, and reception. Prerequisite: Ability to read music or instructor permission