This course will examine a variety of manifestations of folk music in different cultures of the world, with a specific emphasis on examples from France and the U.S., and will study key moments of folk music revival from the nineteenth century to the present. With a particular focus on singing and the voice, we will explore the practices of folk music-making and their relation to concepts of identity, nationalism, protest, preservation, and innovation. By studying revival movements, we will seek to understand how these musical practices have influenced thinking on history, authenticity, and belonging in contemporary society.
