Course Schedule and Catalog

Long Title: MUSIC THAT DEFINED A CULTURE: EXPLORATION OF GRATEFUL DEAD LYRICS (DUNCAN)

Department: College Courses

Grade Mode: Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory

Language of Instruction: Taught in English

Course Type: Seminar

Credit Hours: 1

Description: "A lot of music has been designed to appeal to the masses with catchy beats and superficial lyrics. However, a psychedelic rock band from the late 1960s defied the status quo and created a community. Through thought-provoking lyrics and improvisational music, the Grateful Dead were a cultural phenomena. Inspired by their time on the road, the band wrote mystical songs filled with allusion and symbolism. More importantly, the Grateful Dead played music that deeply resonated with their fans’ emotions. In this course, students will analyze Grateful Dead lyrics and learn about their lifestyle. A deep dive into the lyrics shows the range of the human experience and how a traveling band lived. Analysis of the Grateful Dead will help students answer the question: Why do certain lyrical and musical strategies cause people to react in different ways? Every class, students will participate in group discussions about different song interpretations and connect the songs to what was happening in the band at the time. There will be a final paper where students analyze a song, describe the allusions, and elaborate on their reaction to the song."