Explores the role of music and sound as social practice, political catalyst, market commodity, site of nostalgia, environment, identity tool, and technology of the self. Enables students to write about sound and music. Addresses music as mood manipulation; noise pollution; musical taste and identity; gendered music; ¿urban tribes¿ and musical subcultures; amateur vs. specialist music-making; the music industry; music as power; notions of authenticity; sound technology. Case studies may include: gym, study, and slow jam playlists; karaoke; the racial politics of crossover; Guitar Hero; music conservatories; mood music and ¿cock rock¿; barbershop quartets; amateur brass bands; suburban heavy metal; Muzak; advertising jingles; car and café soundscapes.

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