MCCCD Program Description

Music in Latin America and the Caribbean

Course: MHL156

First Term: 2021 Fall

Lecture 3.0 Credit(s) 3.0 Period(s) 3.0 Load
Subject Type: Academic
Load Formula: S - Standard Load

Description: To discuss the role of music in Latin and Caribbean cultures and the impact of these cultures on music. To present a historical survey to the evolution and development of musical styles from rumba to reggae. Among the topics, and to include: origins, gender, race, ethnicity, politics, elements of music, instruments, both sacred and secular music, and significant individuals influencing the evolution of many different genres of music in Latin America and Caribbean cultures.

MCCCD Official Course Competencies
1. List the major Latin and Caribbean heritage groups. (I) 2. List the musical traits common to Latin and Caribbean heritage groups. (I) 3. Identify various uses of music in Latin American and Caribbean cultures. (I) 4. Discuss Mexican Popular music. (II) 5. Describe the evolution of the Mexican cancion. (II) 6. Compare the cultures and music of Cuba to that of Puerto Rico. (III) 7. Define rumba music. (III) 8. Discuss the evolution and history of the tango. (IV) 9. Compare the samba and bossa nova rhythms of Brazil. (IV) 10. Identify the musical elements of the Son and modern Cuban dance music. (V) 11. Describe the uses of music in the Vodou religion. (V) 12. Identify the sociological uses of music in Haiti. (V) 13. Compare ska as a Jamaican reinterpretation of American R&B. (VI) 14. Discuss the roots and origins of ska, rock steady, and reggae. (VI) 15. List the elements of rhythm found in Island cultures. (VII) 16. Identify the sounds of calypso instruments. (VII) 17. Describe unity and diversity among the islands. (VIII) 18. Compare music styles of Latin American cultures. (VIII)
MCCCD Official Course Competencies must be coordinated with the content outline so that each major point in the outline serves one or more competencies. MCCCD faculty retains authority in determining the pedagogical approach, methodology, content sequencing, and assessment metrics for student work. Please see individual course syllabi for additional information, including specific course requirements.

MCCCD Official Course Outline
I. Music as phenomenon of cultures A. The Caribbean crucible 1. The Indian heritage 2. The African heritage 3. Patterns of musical retention 4. Creolization B. Other II. Music in Mexico A. Spirited sounds of Mexico 1. Pre-Spanish, the Colonial, the Independence, and the Reform 2. Music of the Aztecs and Aboriginal music 3. Mariachi ensemble 4. Cancion: 5. Rancheras, Romantica, Huapango 6. Norteno and Tex-Mex B. Other III. Music in Cuba, Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic A. The Cuban crucible 1. Rumba 2. The Son and modern Cuban dance music 3. Socialism with Pachanga B. Cuba and Puerto Rico: two wings of the same bird 1. Plena and bomba in the dance hall 2. Music in the Puerto Rican diaspora 3. Salsa and beyond C. Dominican Republic: dance as the national symbol 1. The emergence of merengue 2. Bachata: songs of bitterness IV. South America: a region of many regions A. Argentina: the international vogue 1. National dance of the Tango 2. Popular music of Buenos Aires 3. Latin American Folk Music 4. Guitar prominence B. Brazil: popular music`s center 1. Candomble, Macumba, and Umbanda 2. Rhythms of Rio: Samba and Bossa Nova 3. The Bateria of Escola de Samba C. Ecuador: mixture is the norm, not the exception 1. Native-American language and life of Quichua 2. Sanjuan and Albozo: the musical traditions D. Columbia: diverse in heritage 1. Popularity of Cumbia 2. Vallenato = cumbia, son, puya, tambora, paseo, and merengue V. Music in Haiti and the French Caribbean A. Haitian cultural crossroads 1. Creolization: language and religion 2. Carnival and rara 3. Vodou then and now B. Other VI. Jamaica, Man! A. Traveling through reggae 1. Music downtown style 2. Techno-roots from reggae to raga 3. Rasta kumina in ragamuffin style B. Other VII. Trinidad, calypso, and carnival A. The development of calypso and carnival 1. Calypso in colonialism 2. Calypso and gender 3. Steel drum band B. Other VIII. The study of Latin and Caribbean music A. Unity and diversity among the Island cultures B. Race and ethnicity C. Music, gender, sex, and sexism D. Music and politics

MCCCD Governing Board Approval Date: February 23, 2021

All information published is subject to change without notice. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of information presented, but based on the dynamic nature of the curricular process, course and program information is subject to change in order to reflect the most current information available.