Discover/Explore Chicago’s Music Scene

DePaul University

Quarters taught: Fall 2012, Fall 2011, Fall 2009, Fall 2008, Fall 2007, Fall 2006

Course description

This course introduces students to the diverse musical offerings in the Chicago metropolitan area. Students will learn about the wide variety of music- and arts-related activities across many genres and styles. In addition to the excursions taken during Immersion Week and throughout the Fall Quarter, class discussions will focus on topics central to understanding Chicago’s music scene in both its historical and contemporary contexts. This includes, but is not limited to, the relevance of the music industry as it relates to musicians, industry professionals, educators, and patrons; class, ethnicity, gender, and race; historical changes, music criticism, and current industry developments. Genres will span the diversity of the Chicago music community, including blues, folk, hip-hop, jazz, musical theatre, opera, rock, Western art and classical music, and various musics of the world. Sessions will include lectures, open classroom discussions, and guest speakers.