HUM 2B. Topic: "The Cultural History of the Blues" (NEW)"
CRN 27530 | Prof. Julia Simon (NEW) | TR 12:10 - 1:30PM | 202 Wellman Hall
MAJOR ANNOUNCEMENT: This fall, HUM 2B will be offered with a new topic and by a new instructor. Originally, the course was scheduled to be taught by Prof. Jack Hicks with a topic on the "crisis and disaster in contemporary California. Now, Prof. Julia Simon will cover the topic of "the cultural history of the Blues." For any questions, e-mail her at jsimon@ucdavis.edu.
In this American Humanities Forum survey class, we examine aspects of the culture and history of the Blues.
The Blues is a uniquely American musical genre. The history of the Blues echoes the African-American experience, from the Delta to the industrialized north, from Mississippi to Chicago, Memphis, and beyond. This course will combine cultural history with music appreciation to explore the history of the blues, looking at such figures as Son House, Robert Johnson, Bessie Smith, Muddy Waters, and B.B. King. We will learn about the historical context that gave birth to the blues as well as learn about the musical structure of the blues, touching on chord progressions, bass lines and rhythms. Finally, we will examine the impact of the blues on other genres, such as rock, R&B, jazz, and hip-hop.
Readings/Listening:
- Readings downloaded on SmartSite
GE credits (Old): Arts & Humanities
GE credits (New): Arts & Humanities; Writing Experience; American Cultures, Governance & History
Note: HUM 2B can be repeated one time for credit if topic differs.
About the Instructor: Prof. Julia Simon is a professor in the department of French and Italian. To learn more about her, click HERE.
HUM 144. Marx, Nietzsche, Freud
CRN 43681 | Prof. Kristen Harjes | TR 10:30 - 11:50AM | 205 Olson Hall
This course will introduce students to some of the fundamental insights of Karl Marx (1818-1883), Friedrich Nietzsche (1844-1900), and Sigmund Freud (1855-1939), who revolutionized the way we understand ourselves and the modern world. We will examine such timely topics as capitalism and the ideology of the "market"; forms of religious fundamentalism and claims of truth; and the notion that, as a human being, I am fundamentally at odds with myself in elusive ways that nevertheless make me who I am. The course is intended for intellectually curious students from a wide variety of fields who do not wish to leave the university with out first having seriously grappled with the deeply unsettling ideas of these three major thinkers and writers.
Readings:
- Nietzche and Walter Kaufmann, Basic Writings of Nietzsche (Modern Classics Library)
- Freud and Peter Gay, The Freud Reader (Norton)
- Robert C. Tucker (ed.) The Marx-Engels Reader (Norton)
GE credits (Old): Arts & Humanities; Writing Experience
GE credits (New): Arts & Humanities; World Cultures
Note: Humanities 144 is also cross-listed with German 144.
About the Instructor: Prof. Kristen Harjes is a lecturer in the department of German and Russian.