79-345 Roots of Rock & Roll

9 units, Carnegie Mellon University

This course is about open source, collaborative innovation, and the impact of social and technological change on American music. We will spend the first half on early "remix" music (slave songs, Anglo-Appalachian ballads, ragtime, and Depression era blues and country). After studying Bessie Smith, Woody Guthrie, Lead Belly, Hank Williams, and other early artists, we'll spend the second half on revolutionaries like Chuck Berry, Bob Dylan, Jimi Hendrix, and Janis Joplin. The format is informal lecture and discussion. Assignments include reading two books plus some articles, listening to short Spotify playlists, and writing three short essays. This course meets the Dietrich Gen Ed "The Arts" requirement.

Prerequisites: none listed

Offered: Spring 2027, Spring 2026

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