Anglo-American Folk Music OpenCourseWare: A Free Online Bachelor Level Class on Folk Music by MIT

Published Feb 28, 2009

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Explore 'Anglo-American Folk Music' through the ears of centuries pat in this free online OpenCourseWare from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. This transcontinental journey through song gives students a glimpse into the past 300 years of folk music, including the historic, social and political meanings of its time. This undergraduate-level course is intended for students interested in History, Music and Sociology.

Anglo-American Folk Music: Course Specifics

Degree Level Free Audio Video Downloads
Undergraduate Yes No No Yes

Lectures/Notes Study Materials Tests/Quizzes
No Yes No

Anglo-American Folk Music: Course Description

Throughout this course, Massachusetts Institute of Technology Professors Ruth Perry and George Ruckert dissect the evolution of folk music. The course focuses on folk music beginning in the 18th century and continuing through the 1960s folk revival. This journey takes us to the British Isles and North America where the influence of African-Americans, different fiddle styles and balladry played a huge role in the history of folk music. Students will also study the cultural position that folk music holds today. Folk music has been described as the soul of its time, through war and peace, through work and play. It is a genre of music defined by evolution of an era. 'Anglo-American Folk Music' will inspire through studies of the the Child and Lomax collections, Appalachian music and Celtic music.

Course readings, study materials, and related links are available for download. If you'd like to discover more about this free online course, visit the Anglo-American folk music course page.

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