MUS

127A/ETHN 179A
Winter 2015, UCSD
Jazz Roots and Development (1900-1943)
Tu/Th 11:00-12:20, CPMC 127

Professor Stephanie F. Richards
Office: CMPC 345
Office Hours: Tu/Th 10:00-10:50 and 12:30-1:00p (or by appointment)
E-mail: sfrichards@ucsd.edu
PLEASE EMAIL YOUR TA FIRST WITH ANY AND ALL ADMINISTRATIVE QUESTIONS.

Teaching Assistants (TAs) (by assigned last name):
[A-E] - Thomas Babin (tbabin); [F-L] - Drew Ceccato (dceccato); [M-S] Kjell Nordeson (knordeso); [T-Z]
Gust Burns (ghburns)

Course Description
This course explores the origins and early development of the great American art form of
jazz. Investigation will begin with early 19th century precursors to jazz (including African American
work songs, ring shouts and field hollers, minstrelsy, ragtime and the blues), and follow the artistic
evolution of jazz through World War II and the decline of Big Band Swing; the pivotal moment before
the introduction of bebop. The history of jazz, however, involves more than changing musical sounds;
it symbolizes a history of changing values, meanings, and sensibilities. Therefore, in addition to an
introduction to many of the most important performers and their associated styles and techniques,
this course will explore the provocative role that jazz music played in early 20th-century American
society and abroad. Throughout the 20th century, the changing shape of jazz defined social realities
of American culture; our goal will be to investigate these powerful moments in music.

Requirements
You will attend two local jazz performances and submit a proof of attendance (ticket or signed flyer)
with a concert report (1-2 pages) describing the event, your perceptions of it, and relating your
experiences to the class. Suggestions for concerts to attend will be offered in class. Reports will only
be accepted at exam dates and must be e-mailed to your TA.

Exams
The midterm exam will be given to you in class on February 12. Exams are blue book and are given in
class. They will involve listening identification and written reflection. A cumulative final exam will be
given on March 19 from 11:30am-2:30am. In addition to these exams, short in-class and/or online
quizzes will be given throughout the quarter. Quizzes are proctored online (most likely one per week)
and also may be given in class without prior notice. Passwords for taking the online quizzes may be
announced during lectures. The purpose of the quizzes is to help in the review of material and to serve
as benchmarks of progress in the class.

Academic Integrity
We will take academic integrity very seriously. If you are caught cheating on an exam or plagiarizing a
paper you will fail the course and be referred to the proper university authorities.

If you have a question

Basic questions about class materials and logistics should go first to your TA. If s/he cannot answer
your question please make an appointment with the instructor. Problems of a sensitive or serious
nature should be addressed immediately to your instructor.

Course Objectives
offer a look into the lives and musical contributions of the most important early jazz players
gain greater knowledge of U.S. History as it affects and is affected by musical activities
learn to understand the history of jazz in terms of changes in musical techniques and social values
learn to appreciate the stakes and motives behind the controversies that surrounded early jazz
increase our abilities to hear differences among performances and styles of jazz and to interpret the
meanings of such differences
learn to think critically about how we create and hear music and how those meanings align
themselves with broader social concerns
learn to use historical perspective, social context, and technological mediation as prisms through
which we can understand why a piece of music sounds the way it does, what the music signifies about
a particular time and place, and how its meanings may change for musicians and audiences over time
recognize music as a site of celebration and struggle over relationships and ideals

Course Reading and Listening
Reading and listening assignments for weeks one and two will be emailed directly to your .ucsd
addresses, after which all reading and listening assignments will be available online and should be
completed prior to lecture
http://reserves.ucsd.edu/ [PASSWORD is sr127a]

Class materials and quizzes will be managed via the course TED site
http://ted.ucsd.edu

Graded Assignments
Unit I Exam 25%; Quizzes 15%; Concert Report 10%
Unit II Exam 25%; Quizzes 15%; Concert Report 10%;

Grading Scale
98-100 A+
92-97 A
90-91 A-
88-89 B+
82-87 B
80-81 B-
78-79 C+
72-77 C
70-71 C-
68-69 D+
62-67 D
60-61 D-
59-below F

THE FINE PRINT:
Exams are blue book and are given in class. They will involve listening identification and written
reflection.
There are no make-ups for missed exams except under the most unusual circumstances. To request a
make-up, a legitimate excuse must be submitted in writing and in person either before the exam, or
no later than one class period after the exam. For example, if you were sick, you must provide a signed
note from a doctor, with his/her name, address and phone number. Travel plans are not an acceptable
excuse. Make-up exams will involve a different format at the instructors discretion.
Quizzes cannot be made-up, but each students lowest score will be dropped.
Grading, scheduling details, and assignments may be subject to change

COURSE SCHEDULE

Jan 6
Intro: Defining Jazz
Jan 8
20th century Jazz and Culture in America
Jan 13
Jazz Origins and Precursors
Jan 15
Early Jazz and Blues
Jan 20
New Orleans and the South

Jan 22
The Jazz Age and Louis Armstrong
Jan 27
The Kings of Jazz: Armstrong and Whiteman
Jan 29
Duke
Feb 3
Jazz and Race (part I)
Feb 5
Jazz as Industry: Records and Radio
Feb 10
Individual Study (no class)
Feb 12
Midterm EXAM I
Feb 17
The Swing Era
Feb 19
Jazz and Race (part II)
Feb 24
The Business of Swingin
Feb 26
Kansas City: Basie, Hawk, Pres, and Billie
Mar 3
Jazz and Gender
Mar 5
Jazz in Europe
Mar 10
Bebop and The Decline of Swing
Mar 12
Review (Unit I, Unit II)
Mar 19
Final EXAM II: 11:30am-2:30pm