MUSC012
POP MUSIC IN THE USA
Offered in a current or upcoming term. Official schedule
- Department
- Music
- Terms offered
- 15
- Data refreshed
- Sep 29, 2026
Description
Beginning with what is (arguably) the start of the popular in American music, this course will examine Tin Pan Alley, Blues, Country, R&B, Swing, early Rock 'n Roll, Motown, the Folk Revival, the British Invasion, Psychedelic Rock, Progressive Rock, Punk, Disco and Heavy Metal, as well as some more recent music. The course will focus on understanding the stylistic and historical practices of this wide range of popular music. The principle perspective of the class will address popular music as an audible text as an artifact of, and contributor to, popular music culture. No previous musical experience (such as the ability to read or play music) is assumed. However, a willingness to listen to all of this music carefully and to engage a variety of theoretical approaches is presumed.
Syllabi
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Offerings and forecast 2016–2026
1998 2026
| Year | Fall | Spring | Summer | Intersession |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2030 | 2030 Fall: 28% chance, medium confidence. Offered in 3 of 9 fall terms since 2018. | 2030 Spring: 18% chance, medium confidence. Offered in 1 of 9 spring terms since 2018. | 2030 Summer: 7% chance, medium confidence. Offered in 0 of 9 summer terms since 2018. | 2030 Intersession: 13% chance, medium confidence. Offered in 1 of 6 intersession terms since 2020. |
| 2029 | 2029 Fall: 28% chance, medium confidence. Offered in 3 of 10 fall terms since 2017. | 2029 Spring: 20% chance, medium confidence. Offered in 2 of 10 spring terms since 2017. | 2029 Summer: 6% chance, medium confidence. Offered in 0 of 10 summer terms since 2017. | 2029 Intersession: 13% chance, medium confidence. Offered in 1 of 6 intersession terms since 2020. |
| 2028 | 2028 Fall: 29% chance, medium confidence. Offered in 3 of 11 fall terms since 2016. | 2028 Spring: 20% chance, medium confidence. Offered in 2 of 11 spring terms since 2016. | 2028 Summer: 5% chance, medium confidence. Offered in 0 of 11 summer terms since 2016. | 2028 Intersession: 12% chance, medium confidence. Offered in 1 of 6 intersession terms since 2020. |
| 2027 | 2027 Fall: 29% chance, medium confidence. Offered in 3 of 12 fall terms since 2015. | 2027 Spring: 20% chance, medium confidence. Offered in 2 of 12 spring terms since 2015. | 2027 Summer: 5% chance, high confidence. Offered in 0 of 12 summer terms since 2015. | 2027 Intersession: 12% chance, medium confidence. Offered in 1 of 6 intersession terms since 2020. |
| 2026 | 2 sections | 1 section | Not offered | No data |
| 2025 | Not offered | Not offered | Not offered | Not offered |
| 2024 | Not offered | Not offered | Not offered | Not offered |
| 2023 | Not offered | Not offered | Not offered | Not offered |
| 2022 | 1 section | Not offered | Not offered | Not offered |
| 2021 | 1 section | Not offered | Not offered | Not offered |
| 2020 | Not offered | Not offered | Not offered | 1 section |
| 2019 | Not offered | Not offered | Not offered | No data |
| 2018 | Not offered | Not offered | Not offered | No data |
| 2017 | Not offered | 1 section | Not offered | Not offered |
| 2016 | Not offered | Not offered | Not offered | No data |
Forecast Under 15% 15–39% 40–69% 70–89% 90%+ Not enough history
Fall Spring Summer Intersession More sections Not offered No data
Meeting times
Recent first- Tue, Thu, 9:00 AM–10:15 AM Estabrook Hall FMC 2026-2202620212012-2
- Mon, Wed, 12:00 PM–1:15 PM ES414 2026-12009
- Wed, 1:30 PM–2:20 PM Estabrook Hall FMC 2026-3
- Mon, Thu, 2:50 PM–4:05 PM Estabrook Hall FMC 20222013
- Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, 9:00 AM–10:30 AM ONLINE 2020
- Tue, Fri, 2:50 PM–4:05 PM Estabrook Hall FMC 2017
- Mon, Wed, 6:00 PM–7:15 PM TC112 2014
- Tue, Fri, 12:00 PM–1:15 PM Estabrook Hall FMC 2012-1
| Term | Professor | Type | Credits | Enrollment | CRN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall 2026 | Ashley P. L'Esperance | Lecture | 1 | 25 of 25 enrolled | 24825 |
| Fall 2026 | Ashley P. L'Esperance | Lecture | 1 | 18 of 18 enrolled | 25013 |
| Spring 2026 | Ashley P. L'Esperance | Lecture | 1 | 26 of 25 enrolled | 34699 |
| Fall 2022 | John E. Freyermuth | Lecture | 1 | 40 of 40 enrolled | 21141 |
| Fall 2021 | John E. Freyermuth | Lecture | 1 | 45 of 40 enrolled | 28310 |
| Intersession 2020-21 | John E. Freyermuth | Online | 1 | 37 of 25 enrolled | 50080 |
| Spring 2017 | Sundar Subramanian | Lecture | 1 | 26 of 25 enrolled | 35736 |
| Spring 2014 | Jonathan Blumhofer | Lecture | 1 | 30 of 30 enrolled | 31413 |
| Spring 2013 | Sarah C. Provost | Lecture | 1 | 40 of 40 enrolled | 31413 |
| Spring 2012 | Sarah C. Provost | Lecture | 1 | 41 of 40 enrolled | 31413 |
| Spring 2012 | Jonathan Blumhofer | Lecture | 1 | 41 of 40 enrolled | 32061 |
| Spring 2009 | Sarah C. Provost | Lecture | 1 | 29 of 40 enrolled | 36708 |
| Fall 2007 | Sarah C. Provost | Lecture | 1 | 27 of 40 enrolled | 24764 |
| Spring 2006 | Rose Theresa | Lecture | 1 | 24 of 40 enrolled | 34457 |
| Spring 2004 | Nancy Newman | Lecture | 1 | 22 of 40 enrolled | 31442 |
| Fall 1999 | Matt P. Malsky | Lecture | 1 | 55 of 60 enrolled | 23160 |
| Fall 1998 | Matt P. Malsky | Lecture | 1 | 44 of 60 enrolled | 23160 |