LSO125 - Canadian Popular Music

Subject Title
Canadian Popular Music

Subject Description
Canadian Popular Music: The Folk-Rock Tradition, 1960-Present focuses on our country's enormously rich and timeless folk and singer-songwriter traditions. The sudden emergence in the 1960s of several distinct talents has now distilled into a tradition that holds enormous sway and relevance in our national musical culture to this day. Like Bob Dylan and Simon and Garfunkel in the US, central to the shaping forces of Canadian popular music are such icons as Gordon Lightfoot, Leonard Cohen, Joni Mitchell, Buffy Sainte-Marie, Neil Young, and Bruce Cockburn. Yet there are also relative newcomers, such as Sarah McLachlan and Loreena McKennitt, as well as the powerhouse acts in the Celtic and Indigenous traditions, who together testify to the rich bedrock of our musical culture still commanding mass Canadian and International appeal. Throughout the term, students will enlarge their scope of Canadian music culture (historical and musical) and its contribution to the mass-music culture of our day. Weekly writing exercises based on close-listening and reading of a particular musician's songs and lyrics will set the foundations for deeper studies of artistic vision, common themes, historical movements, and musical trends. Writing exercises and discussion posts will hone skills in critical thinking and clear communication; a research project will invite a deeper analysis of the artistic and poetic technique in a musician's songs and lyrics, alongside autobiographical and historical contexts. By the end of the course, students will have refined their critical reading, listening, thinking, and writing skills. Equally valuable, students will have gained a broad knowledge of Canadian music culture, a deeper knowledge of iconic Canadian musicians and their lyrical prowess in the popular era, and a critical appreciation of their enduring international appeal and legacy.

Credit Status
One lower level Liberal Studies option in the Arts & Humanity category for Seneca Degree programs.

Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this subject the student will be able to:

Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to:

• Analyze common themes and forms of songs (for e.g. love song, ballad, protest song)
• Explore links between past and contemporary styles, forms, and themes
•  Critique  themes and meaning in song lyrics, thereby deepening an understanding of the artistic dynamics of language
• Analyze biographical and historical contexts to enhance interpretations
• Explore Indigenous Canadian music to gain a broader and deeper knowledge of their messages and cultural contribution
• Examine elements and terms common to the music artform
• Explore different media behind Canada's popular music resurgence
• Critique and evaluate some of the recurring Canadian styles in the course music repertoire
• Evaluate Canadian culture in general through the study of Canadian music and artists in their socio-historical contexts

Essential Employability Skills

    •  Communicate clearly, concisely and correctly in the written, spoken and visual form that fulfils the purpose and meets the needs of the audience.

    •  Respond to written, spoken, or visual messages in a manner that ensures effective communication.

    •  Apply a systematic approach to solve problems.

    •  Use a variety of thinking skills to anticipate and solve problems.

    •  Locate, select, organize, and document information using appropriate technology and information systems.

    •  Analyze, evaluate, and apply relevant information from a variety of sources.

    •  Show respect for diverse opinions, values, belief systems, and contributions of others.

    •  Interact with others in groups or teams in ways that contribute to effective working relationships and the achievement of goals.

    •  Manage the use of time and other resources to complete projects.

    •  Take responsibility for one's own actions, decisions, and consequences.

Academic Integrity
Seneca upholds a learning community that values academic integrity, honesty, fairness, trust, respect, responsibility and courage. These values enhance Seneca's commitment to deliver high-quality education and teaching excellence, while supporting a positive learning environment. Ensure that you are aware of Seneca's Academic Integrity Policy which can be found at: http://www.senecapolytechnic.ca/about/policies/academic-integrity-policy.html Review section 2 of the policy for details regarding approaches to supporting integrity. Section 2.3 and Appendix B of the policy describe various sanctions that can be applied, if there is suspected academic misconduct (e.g., contract cheating, cheating, falsification, impersonation or plagiarism).

Please visit the Academic Integrity website http://open2.senecac.on.ca/sites/academic-integrity/for-students to understand and learn more about how to prepare and submit work so that it supports academic integrity, and to avoid academic misconduct.

Discrimination/Harassment
All students and employees have the right to study and work in an environment that is free from discrimination and/or harassment. Language or activities that defeat this objective violate the College Policy on Discrimination/Harassment and shall not be tolerated. Information and assistance are available from the Student Conduct Office at student.conduct@senecapolytechnic.ca.

Accommodation for Students with Disabilities
The College will provide reasonable accommodation to students with disabilities in order to promote academic success. If you require accommodation, contact the Counselling and Accessibility Services Office at ext. 22900 to initiate the process for documenting, assessing and implementing your individual accommodation needs.

Camera Use and Recordings - Synchronous (Live) Classes
Synchronous (live) classes may be delivered in person, in a Flexible Learning space, or online through a Seneca web conferencing platform such as MS Teams or Zoom. Flexible Learning spaces are equipped with cameras, microphones, monitors and speakers that capture and stream instructor and student interactions, providing an in-person experience for students choosing to study online.

Students joining a live class online may be required to have a working camera in order to participate, or for certain activities (e.g. group work, assessments), and high-speed broadband access (e.g. Cable, DSL) is highly recommended. In the event students encounter circumstances that impact their ability to join the platform with their camera on, they should reach out to the professor to discuss. Live classes may be recorded and made available to students to support access to course content and promote student learning and success.

By attending live classes, students are consenting to the collection and use of their personal information for the purposes of administering the class and associated coursework. To learn more about Seneca's privacy practices, visit Privacy Notice.