I Know It's Only Rock n' Roll, but I Teach It: American History and Culture through Popular Music

Even in today’s hip hop/alternative music scene, rock ‘n’ roll speaks to students. Exploring recent American cultural history through a look at rock music is therefore as much fun as it is useful. The roots of rock, the rhythms, lyrics, genres and sound technology, can all be used to teach students about US postwar history. This seminar will trace rock from r&b to psychedelics and beyond, exploring the many ways the music can be used to teach students about postwar American cultural and political life.

Seminar led by Cheryl Greenberg, Trinity College