Music, Resistance, and social change
Taught by: Mark Jole James Sutherland
More information: mark.sutherland@uexternado.edu.co
The course explores how popular music has reflected identity, resistance, and social realities across different historical and cultural contexts. Through genres such as reggae, Afrobeat, and hip hop, students will analyze how music responds to issues such as inequality, migration, urban life, and cultural identity. Through the analysis of lyrics, interviews, documentaries, and media texts, students will develop their ability to communicate ideas clearly and critically in English. The course promotes the use of the language in both formal and informal contexts, strengthening confidence in discussion, oral presentations, and writing.
The course is structured around three main thematic modules, developed over a 16-week period. These modules serve as contexts for the development of English language skills and critical analysis.
The topics addressed include:
- Music and cultural identity
- Postcolonial expression and resistance
- Independence movements and social change
- Urban realities and youth culture
- Language for expressing opinions and arguments
- Analysis of lyrics and media texts
- Presentation and discussion skills
- Development of vocabulary related to music and society
The musical genres explored include reggae and dub, Afrobeat and African popular music, and late twentieth-century hip hop.
