[o] Other: Syllabus

By Karlton E. Hester, Ph.D.

To examine the music, culture and history of Miles Davis, John Coltrane and other African American modern innovators through recordings, videotapes and readings. The course is taught as a weekly seminar class.
 

Grades:

(1) Weekly Oral & Written Video and Research Reports:
(25% of grade) You will submit a 2 page report on each of three assigned films.

a. The first assigned film is "John Coltrane/the Coltrane Legacy" (call# Videotape 39).
b. The second assigned film is "Miles Davis: Miles in Paris" (We will view this videotape together in class.).
c. The third assigned film "Representation & the Media" (call# Video 1229)

Students will give an oral presentation on the highlights of all papers.

(2) Oral & Written Surveys, Interviews and Chapter Reports:
(25% of grade):

a. You must find 4 "jazz" university or conservatory educators, in different regions of the country, willing to fill out the short survey form we will construct in class. You will write a 3-4 page report on your results.
b. You will interview an African American innovator (in person or by phone) and transcribe your recording. We will create a research instrument to facilitate your interview procedure.
c. Turn in a two-page summary for each reading assignment when instructed to "submit a written chapter report."

(3) Midterm Essay
(25% of grade) Your 6-8 page paper will be on the evolution of Miles Davis' style and music.

(4) Final Essay
(25% of grade) Your 6-8 page paper will be on the evolution of John Coltrane's style and music.
 

Videotapes on Reserve in Africana Studies and Research Center:

1. "Representation & the Media" (call# Video 1229)
2. "John Coltrane/the Coltrane Legacy" (call# Videotape 39)

Texts:

1. Davis, Miles: Miles: The Autobiography (with Quincy Troupe). New York: Simon and Schuster, 1989.
2. Taylor, Arthur: Notes and Tones: Musician-to-Musician Interviews. New York: Da Capo, 1993.
3. Hester, Karlton E.: The Melodic & Polyrhythmic Developement of John Coltrane's Spontaneous Composition in a Racist Society. Lewiston: The Edwin Mellen Press, 1997. ISBN 0-88946-426-X (Box 450, Lewiston, NY 14092-0450)
 

Course Outline:

Week 1 - Syllabus reviewed and a discussion on how to listen actively to music. How do we recognize innovations in music?

Week 2 - Listening: African Music, Early African American Music, Bessie Smith, Blues, & Ragtime. READ: Notes and Tones, pp. 12-82. Discuss music educators survey.

Week 3 - Discuss readings (Gordon, Davis, Weston, Coleman, Jones, Byas, Carter.) & submit written chapter report. Listening: James Reese Europe, Jelly Roll Morton, King Oliver, Louis Armstrong, Boogie Woogie, Tatum, Swing. READ: Notes and Tones, pp. 106-159 and 254-287. Mail Surveys.

Week 4 - Discuss readings (Roach, Gillespie, McRae, Simone, Blakey, Scott, B. Carter, Monk) & submit written chapter report. Listening: Miles Davis, Ellington, and Bebop.

Week 5 - Miles - Miles Davis - Cool and Hard Bop & submit written chapter report.. Watch the film, "Miles Davis: Miles in Paris" (We will view this videotape together in class.). READ: Miles The Autobiography pp. 7-74.

Week 6 - Give papers on "Miles Davis: Miles in Paris." Listening: Miles -Quasi-Modal Innovations and Influences. Discussion of Text Chapters 1-3. READ:  Miles: The Autobiography pp. 75-156.

Week 7 - Miles Midterm Essay Due. Audio discussion = Miles in the1970s and 80s. Discussion of Text Chapters 4-7 & submit written chapter report. READ:  Miles: The Autobiography pp. 157-290.

Week 8 - MIDTERM - MILES Essay Due (Oral presentations).
Audio discussion = Miles' influence on Herbie Hancock and Wayne Shorter. Discussion of Text Chapters 8-13. READ: John Coltrane's Spontaneous Composition - Chapter 1-2.

[ SPRING/FALL BREAK ]

Week 9 - Audio Discussion = Coltrane with Miles and Monk. Video Assignment: "John Coltrane/the Coltrane Legacy" - Prepare a wrtiien report. Discussion of Text Chapters 1-2 & submit written chapter report. READ: John Coltrane's Spontaneous Composition - Chapters 3-4 and discography.

Week 10 - Discussion of Text Chapters 3-4 & submit written chapter report. Watch the videotape "Representation & the Media" and prepare a report. READ: John Coltrane's Spontaneous Composition - Chapter 5 .

Week 11 - Audio discussion = The influence of Dolphy, Ornette Coleman, Ayler, and Sanders on Coltrane. Video reports & discussion "Representation & the Media" & submit written chapter report. Watch comparative documentary footage on Coltrane.

Week 12 - Audio discussion = Coltrane's Late Period. READ: Chapter 6 and discography.

Week 13 - Discussion of Text Chapter 6 & submit written chapter report. Audio discussion = Coltrane's "Interstellar Space."

Week 14 - FINAL - COLTRANE Essay Due (Oral presentations).

(c) Dr. Karlton E. Hester 2000