The Soundtrack of History: Music, Film, and Society

(3 Credit Hours) · Undergraduate

From the Antonio Vivaldi's popular Baroque violin concertos, The Four Seasons, to the film scores of Hollywood movies such as Star Wars and The King's Speech, classical music has had an indelible impact on mainstream culture.This is a course that seeks to debunk the misconception that classical music is an elite art form, inaccessible to the general public and disconnected from world events. With an emphasis on musicians and instrumental works from the 18th through the 20th century, it will illustrate the relevancy of classical music through its connection to war, politics, literature, and popular entertainment. No musical background is required for this course.