LMU0009 - History of American Modern Music in the 20th Century
Course Description
Take a deep dive into the rhythm of a century. This course explores the dynamic evolution of American music throughout the 20th century, from the soulful cries of the Mississippi Delta blues to the vibrant pulse of Latin jazz, and from the electrifying rise of rock 'n' roll to the cinematic power of Hollywood scores. You'll trace the social, technological, and cultural transformations that shaped, and were shaped by, modern American music. Through weekly lectures, curated listening guides, artist spotlights, and optional creative projects, you’ll experience the story of America in sound.
๐ Ideal For:
• Music lovers
• Cultural studies students
• Anyone curious about the soundtrack of American life
๐ Materials Included:
• On-demand video lectures
• Curated Spotify/YouTube playlists
• Articles, artist bios & archival clips
• No textbook required
Ready to listen, learn, and discover the beat of modern America?
Enroll now and start your journey!
Course Outline
• Week 1-2: The Roots of Blues – From the Fields to the Cities
• Week 3-4: Jazz Rising – From New Orleans to Fusion
• Week 5: Country, Bluegrass & Americana
• Week 6: The Rock 'n' Roll Revolution
• Week 7: The 60s Rock Scene, USA & British Invasion
• Week 8: Soul, Motown & Funk
• Week 9: Pop, Disco & the Pulse of the 70s–80s (early hip-hop emergence)
• Week 10: Latin Music in America, Afro-Cuban, Brazilian & Jazz Fusion
• Week 11: Film Music, Broadway & Sound Technology
• Week 12: Music Legends, Iconic Festivals & The Cultural Legacy
๐งช Final Project:
• Write a short essay
Learner Outcomes
• The origins and branches of the blues, from Delta to Chicago electric styles• The full journey of jazz: New Orleans, swing, bebop, modal, free, and fusion
• The birth and legacy of country, rock 'n' roll, soul, funk, disco, and pop
• The influence of Latin American styles: Afro-Cuban, Brazilian, and Latin jazz
• How American music shaped, and was shaped by, technology, musicals, and film
• The legends, festivals, and pivotal moments that defined a musical century
Notes
Petros Dragoumis is a multi-instrumentalist and multicultural professional musician, instructor, and author with over 35 years of experience. Throughout his international career he has performed, recorded, and collaborated within many different aspects of the music industry, such as live concerts, recording sessions, productions, TV shows, workshops, etc. As a performer, his music is influenced by Greek, Ethnic, as well as the Afro-American Jazz culture, with emphasis on odd meters and exotic scales. Petros has studied at the Macedonian Conservatory, the Bass Collective of New York, the Rotterdam Conservatory Codarts, and Arizona State University. His instructors included John Patitucci, Lincoln Goines, Mike Pope, and Matt Garrison. Petros is also the author of several music textbooks including instructional methods for bass guitar, guitar, and bouzouki, as well as music theory. Petros resides in Chicago and is involved in various music projects while teaching at Harper College and being the co-director of Odeion School of Music in Skokie.