Nov 04, 2025  
2025-2026 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2025-2026 Undergraduate Catalog

MUS 154 - Jazz in America


3 Credit Hour(s)

This course explores the history and development of jazz music, including blues, gospel, African forms, and other popular music which contributed to the development of jazz. It will trace the historical growth of jazz, with an emphasis on jazz styles as a reflection of American culture. It will also examine the effects of segregation and racism on the growth of jazz, and the seminal role of African-American musicians in jazz history. The improvisatory nature of jazz will be explored, and students will attend live performances and have direct experience with jazz improvisation. (Fall, even-odd years)

Fulfills Gen Ed 2011-2021: Fine Arts
Fulfills GE 2023-2024: C-Arts - Humanities