Even though it is a short word, jazz is far from simple. It takes on different meanings and genres, represents varied historical periods and geographical spaces, and influences other media beyond its musical bounds.



This course takes jazz as its topic, arguing that the perception and influence of jazz are wide ranging and very influential to American culture.



The course does not draw on a musicological method but rather a socio-cultural analysis of the concept, music and its effect--so students are not required to have any prior musical knowledge or ability. More than just informing students about this complex and influential music, ―Thirteen Ways of Looking at Jazz? introduces students to multiple types of texts and approaches in analyzing culture.



I have chosen the title based on the Wallace Stevens poem, ―Thirteen Ways of Looking at a Blackbird,? which positions and interprets the blackbird in different ways. In a similar vein, this course explores a more complex, multi-layered perspective on jazz, from jazz and American democracy to jazz in film. Accordingly, the course introduces students to several genres including: historical documents, cultural criticism, music, literature, film, photography and art. In the end, the class will have the chance to consider jazz‘s influences closer to home, by exploring jazz in Korea/Asia.