Intenzivní kurzy - Podzim 2026
AJL17099/AJL27108: American Musical Social Protest
Instructor: Paul Von Blum
Schedule (TBA):
The first and second weeks of the semester (a total of 10 ninety-minute sessions).
General Description: American folk, folk/rock, gospel, and related forms of popular music have proved to be particularly effective expressions of social and political protest for all of the country’s history. It is a rich and vibrant tradition. This music is a vital feature of every movement for social change. From the nineteenth century to the present, these engaging songs have played a vital role in calling public attention to social injustice and to organizing political opposition and resistance.
This intensive course will explore various major examples. We will play many examples from prominent historical and contemporary recording artists over the years and discuss the social and political issues and themes that their songs address. Each one of the songs has a story, which can stimulate vigorous class discussion. The instructor will provide the relevant historical background and context as the class proceeds.
The class will combine artists and themes, focusing predominantly but not exclusively on the performers. Recurring political and social themes will emerge throughout our time together. Among the artists (and groups) are the following: Paul Robeson; Joe Glazer; Woody Guthrie; Pete Seeger; The Almanac Singers; The Weavers; Bob Dylan; Phil Ochs, Peter, Paul and Mary; Joan Baez; Tom Paxton; Bill McAdoo; Judy Collins; Odetta; Staple Singers; Freedom Singers; Free Speech Movement Singers; Bruce Springsteen; Arlo Guthrie; Tracy Chapman; Holly Near, Harry Belafonte; The Limelighters; The Clancy Brothers; and several others.
Specific Course Units:
The Labor Movement:
Labor struggles are among the one of the major features of social protest movements in U.S. history. Throughout those struggles, an abundance of musical protest has been produced, both by well-known artists and by rank and file union members deeply committed to the cause of working women and men. Many vibrant examples will be shown and discussed. These works include efforts from the Industrial Workers of the World (songwriter and martyr Joe Hill), Glazer, Robeson, Guthrie, Seeger, Springsteen, and others.
Racism and Civil Rights:
Race and racism are central features of American history. There are thousands of protest songs on civil rights and resistance to racist practices. Many powerful examples of this tradition will be featured in this segment of the class. They will come from the early struggles of the movement, the classic events of the Civil Rights Movement from the 1950s through the 1970s, and the Black Power and Black Lives Matter Movements, among others. Musical artists including Robeson, Seeger, Dylan, Baez, Springsteen, Odetta, Chapman, Staple Singers, Freedom Singers, and others will be featured. Entire class sessions will be devoted to Seeger, Dylan, Springsteen, whose themes will transcend the categories listed here.
Anti-War Protests
Throughout U.S. history, several wars have met with major public opposition. Musical opposition from anti-Vietnam War rallies and resistance movements will be highlighted in this segment; they were often remarkable both for their power and for their artistic quality. Songs opposing American wars in Iraq and Afghanistan will also be played and discussed. Among others, we will listen to and discuss artists including Seeger, Baez, Peter, Paul, and Mary, Dylan, and Paxton.
Student Movements and Rebellion
Especially during the era of 1960s agitation, student movements proliferated across America, along with vibrant and often provocative protest music. Several examples will be included, from the University of California Berkeley Free Speech Movement of 1964, where the instructor played a prominent role as a student, the Columbia University events of 1968, and others, including the 2024 student protest about genocide in Gaza.
Other Protest Movements
Owing to the time constraints of the course, selected musical examples about the women’s and feminist struggles, LGBTQ activism, animal rights activism, environmental groups, indigenous protestors, death penalty opponents, and others may be played and discussed during the segments featuring various musical performers.
Course Format
This course will be taught using the songs from the computer, but as in previous classes taught by the instructor, vigorous and regular discussion from students will be the norm.
Course Requirements 1. ATTENDANCE: Students are expected to be present for all the sessions, on time, and above all, to actively participate in class discussions. 2. ASSIGNMENTS FOR CLASSES: There are no readings or assignments to complete between class sessions throughout the week. 3. FINAL PAPER: This will be specified in greater detail once the course begins. Students will choose any topic relevant to the discussed course themes and submit a 3 double-spaced page essay by the end of the semester. Details will be announced in class.
