MS 201 - The Music of Spain: Diversity, Functionality and the Construction of Cultural Identity

It can be said that Spain is perfectly represented by its music. The country’s vibrant multicultural history and society are projected in its wide-ranging musical repertoires. From the passionate flamenco of Andalusia and the classical opus of nationalist composers to the transgressive punk rock of the Basque County and the Grammy Award winning songs of the Catalan Rosalia: the music of Spain speaks directly about its people. As such, Spanish music can open a window into the heart of Spanish culture. This course explores Spanish society and its diverse mentalities through music. To this aim, we will: 1) learn to listen and identify traditional, classical, and modern Spanish musical repertoires (flamenco, “Celtic,” classical, pop, punk, trap); and 2) recognize how these repertoires document historical, social, and cultural processes. The course combines music appreciation with history, sociology, anthropology, and music marketing.

Global Pillars. This course engages with the IES Abroad Human wellbeing Global Pillar. The course includes discussion of how music promotes social collaboration, personal expression, and wellbeing, through the observation of the role of music in cultural communication, identity construction, and group collaboration.