This inter-disciplinary course will trace the developmentof American rock 'n' roll and popular music in the second half of the20th century. Popular music will be studied both in terms of what itsounds like, and in terms of what it meant to the societies in which it was made and consumed. Special attention will be paid to the rold ofAfrican-American cultural influences, as well as contributions made byEuropean (mainly British) performers over the years.