Critical Birding: Music, Observation, and the Environment

1 Course Unit

Critical birding encompasses birds, birdsongs and sounds, birds’ environments, humans’ interest in birding, and the inspiration musicians take from birds. Focusing primarily on the nineteenth century to today, we will use birding explore the relationship between “nature” and “music.” First, composers and musicians have long listened to and imitated birds, and we will study a diverse repertoire of bird-based musical works. Second, birding itself has strong cultural and political significance, including for the history of conservation, of environmentalism, and of race in the United States. We will familiarize ourselves with these histories. Finally, birding offers an opportunity to critically consider the visual and aural practices of observation. We will engage in amateur birding. This course meets once a week for three hours. It is a seminar- style discussion-based learning experience with some outdoor local birding activities. Not Offered Every Year 1 Course Unit