SPN 3930 Contemporary Music in the Spanish-Speaking World MWF, 3rd Spring 2018
Dr. Greg Moreland 1B Dauer Hall 352-273-3750
Office hours: Monday, 2:00-5:00; Wednesday, 12:00-3:00.
COURSE DESCRIPTION: The purpose of this course is to study music (and musicians/artists) as both cultural and economic phenomena. We will, of course, analyze songs, lyrics and videos from a “musical perspective.” However, we shall also delve deeper, in an attempt to ascertain (1) possible social, political and economic motivations behind the musical production, and (2) how the finished product serves to highlight cultural elements of the Spanish-speaking community. We focus primarily on popular (“radio friendly”) music, and take a somewhat chronological approach, beginning with pioneers from the “Rock en Español” movement of the 1980s, and then covering more recent phenomena such as the crossover, the music video, “Unplugged,” Reggaeton and “New Artists.” Student presentations will be incorporated as a means of further exploring the topics listed in the syllabus.
MATERIALS: Internet readings and assignments will be announced via e-mail 48 hours before each class session. Students will be responsible for accessing these readings and printing them for use in the classroom.
GRADING CRITERIA: 60% = Three exams. (There are no make-ups.) 20% = Attendance and (active) Participation. Each class session is worth ½ point. The student who is late, absent or not actively engaged will lose the ½ point. 20% = Presentation. The student will make a
15-minute presentation (in class) on an artist of his/her choice and related to the topic(s) of that particular week. Further details will be provided during the second week of the semester.
The grading scale for SPN 3930 is as follows: A/100-93; A-/92-90; B+/89-87; B/86-83; B-/82-80; C+/79-77; C/76-73; C-/72-70; etc. NOTE: a grade of C- will not be a qualifying grade for major, minor, Gen Ed, Gordon Rule, or Basic Distribution Credit courses. For further information regarding passing grades and grade point equivalents, please refer to the Undergraduate Catalog at: https://catalog.ufl.edu/ugrad/current/regulations/info/grades.aspx
CELL PHONES: Cell phones will be turned off during the entire 50-minute class session.
DISABILITIES: Students requesting classroom accommodations must first register with the Dean of Students Office. This office will provide documentation to the student, who must then provide this documentation to the instructor. See: http://www.dso.ufl.edu/drc
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: All students are required to abide by the Academic Honesty Guidelines which have been accepted by the University. The UF Honor code reads: “We, the members of the University of Florida community, pledge to hold ourselves and our peers to the highest standards of honesty and integrity.” On all work submitted for credit by students at the University of Florida, the following pledge is either required or implied: “On my honor, I have neither given nor received unauthorized aid in doing this assignment.” For more information: http://www.dso.ufl.edu/studentguide
COUNSELING AND WELLNESS: A variety of counseling, mental health and psychiatric services are available through the UF Counseling and Wellness Center, whose goal is to help students be maximally effective in their academic pursuits by reducing or eliminating emotional, psychological, and interpersonal problems that interfere with academic functioning. The Center can be found online, http://www.counseling.ufl.edu/cwc or reached by phone at
352-392-1575.
EVALUATIONS: The “GatorRater” system is @ https://evaluations.ufl.edu/evals/Default.aspx
SCHEDULE:
01/08 Introducción.
01/10 La función y el papel de la música en la sociedad.
01/12 La función y el papel de la música en el mundo hispanohablante.
01/15 No hay clase (MLK).
01/17 Los pioneros del rock en español.
01/19 Los pioneros del rock en español.
01/22 El video musical.
01/24 El “crossover”.
01/26 Presentaciones 1 & 2.
01/29 El mercado estadounidense.
01/31 El mercado estadounidense.
02/02 Presentaciones 3 & 4.
02/05 El mercado estadounidense.
02/07 Presentaciones 5 & 6.
02/09 Examen #1.
02/12 El reggaetón y su evolución.
02/14 Presentaciones 7 & 8.
02/16 El reggaetón y su evolución.
02/19 Presentaciones 9 & 10.
02/21 Premios & Grammys.
02/23 Presentaciones 11 & 12.
02/26 “Desenchufado”.
02/28 Las colaboraciones.
03/02 Las colaboraciones.
03/05 – 03/09 No hay clase (Spring Break).
03/12 Presentaciones 13 & 14.
03/14 Tema TBA.
03/16 Tema TBA.
03/19 Examen #2.
03/21 Tema TBA.
03/23 Españoles, italianos y brasileños.
03/26 Españoles, italianos y brasileños.
03/28 Presentaciones 15 & 16.
03/30 La música y el deporte.
04/02 Tema TBA.
04/04 Tema TBA.
04/06 La música y la telenovela.
04/09 Presentaciones 17 & 18. 04/16 La música del futuro.
04/11 Presentaciones 19 & 20. 04/18 Tema TBA.
04/13 Presentaciones 21 & 22. 04/20 Tema TBA.
04/23 Repaso. 04/25 Examen #3.