No musical knowledge or experience is required to take this course. Students will learn through powerpoint presentations and class discussion. Student participation and engagement will be highly encouraged, as discussion questions will be interwoven throughout each presentation. Videos will also be incorporated to keep students engaged and help students better understand the material. After watching musical examples and performances, students will be encouraged to discuss what they heard and how the music connects to society.

Below is the agendas for class. * indicates the incorporation of a video (most about one-two minutes).
-1950s: The beginning of rock and roll
-Rock and roll lyrical themes
-Chuck Berry: "Father of Rock and Roll"
-Short video of Chuck Berry's "Johnny B. Goode"
-Elvis Presley: "King of Rock and Roll" 
-Short video of Elvis Presley's "Johnny B. Goode"
-Discussion about the differences between Elvis' and Chuck's performance of the same song
-1960s Rock
-Beach Boys
-Short video and discussion of Beach Boys' "I Get Around"
-British Invasion and how it influenced American music, culture, and society
-The Beatles
-Audio example of the Beatles' "Blackbird"
-Discussion of "Blackbird" (emphasis on the lyrical meaning and further interpretations)
-Garage Rock
-Blues Rock
-Jimi Hendrix
-Short video and discussion of Jimi Hendrix's "Purple Haze" (focusing on his innovative guitar playing)
-1970s Rock
-Progressive Rock
-Led Zeppelin
-Short video and discussion of Led Zeppelin's "The Ocean"
-AC/DC
-Short video and discussion of AC/DC's "Back in Black"
-Queen
-Video and discussion of Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody" (emphasis on the unconventional musical structure of the song; comparing each of the six sections in terms of instrumentation, tempo, rhythms, tone, and overall feeling)
-Janis Joplin
-Short video and discussion of Joplin's "Piece of My Heart"
-Roots Rock
-Punk Rock
-Van Halen and his strong influence on rock and guitar playing
-Short video and discussion of the Van Halen Effect
-Alternative Rock
-R.E.M
-Short video and discussion of the R.E.M.'s "Everybody Hurts"
-1990s Rock
-Pearl Jam
-Short video of Pearl Jam's "Alive"