ETHNMUS M50A
Jazz in American Culture: Late 19th Century through 1940s
Description: (Same as Global Jazz Studies M50A.) Lecture, four hours; discussion, one hour. Course M50A is not requisite to M50B. Survey of development of jazz in American culture. Discussion of different compositional/performance techniques and approaches that distinguish different sub-styles of jazz from one another, as well as key historical figures that shaped development of jazz from its early years through modern jazz. Important historical social issues (segregation, Depression, World War II, Civil Rights Movement) that intersect with history of U.S. and jazz music. P/NP or letter grading.
Units: 5.0
Units: 5.0
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Most Helpful Review
Fall 2024 - Your grade is based on participation in discussion, a final project, two exams, and a concert analysis. Overall everything is graded pretty leniently. Professor Bolin lets his TAs assign section grades (~20% of your total grade). There are some pretty lengthy weekly readings but they are not tested on the exams AT ALL. I wouldn't waste my time on them (I stopped reading them after week 2). The exams (midterm and final) both have an in-class Canvas MCQ and a few take home short answer questions. The MCQ was actually a bit difficult because it felt like it was about stuff he didn't emphasize as much (for the first one at least, i stopped going to class after midterm #1 which made the final MCQ even harder for me). Honestly, if you're fine with risking an A- or below I wouldn't bother with going to class. That said, even if you don't go to class there's enough extra credit that you can probably still get an A or A+. Again, there is a sizeable amount of extra credit on the short answers (around +20% of the short answer grade) that more than makes up for a poor MCQ score. Your grade ultimately depends on your TA (although I'm pretty sure ALL the TAs grade pretty generously so long as you put in some effort). My TA was Martin Hundley who was a bit disorganized at times but graded extremely easily. He was also really passionate about the subject in discussion which was nice to see. Our grade was based entirely on attendance at discussion and 2-3 sentences in a weekly Canvas discussion thread. For the concert observation analysis you go to a random jazz concert and take notes on it. I wouldn't stress about finding one on your own too much because the professor/TA usually drop 1-2 opportunities during the quarter about events you can go to. Directions for final projects were a bit unclear. Most people end up doing a 7-8 page research paper. It's not too bad considering this is the only real/hard non-exam work you're doing the entire quarter for this class.
Fall 2024 - Your grade is based on participation in discussion, a final project, two exams, and a concert analysis. Overall everything is graded pretty leniently. Professor Bolin lets his TAs assign section grades (~20% of your total grade). There are some pretty lengthy weekly readings but they are not tested on the exams AT ALL. I wouldn't waste my time on them (I stopped reading them after week 2). The exams (midterm and final) both have an in-class Canvas MCQ and a few take home short answer questions. The MCQ was actually a bit difficult because it felt like it was about stuff he didn't emphasize as much (for the first one at least, i stopped going to class after midterm #1 which made the final MCQ even harder for me). Honestly, if you're fine with risking an A- or below I wouldn't bother with going to class. That said, even if you don't go to class there's enough extra credit that you can probably still get an A or A+. Again, there is a sizeable amount of extra credit on the short answers (around +20% of the short answer grade) that more than makes up for a poor MCQ score. Your grade ultimately depends on your TA (although I'm pretty sure ALL the TAs grade pretty generously so long as you put in some effort). My TA was Martin Hundley who was a bit disorganized at times but graded extremely easily. He was also really passionate about the subject in discussion which was nice to see. Our grade was based entirely on attendance at discussion and 2-3 sentences in a weekly Canvas discussion thread. For the concert observation analysis you go to a random jazz concert and take notes on it. I wouldn't stress about finding one on your own too much because the professor/TA usually drop 1-2 opportunities during the quarter about events you can go to. Directions for final projects were a bit unclear. Most people end up doing a 7-8 page research paper. It's not too bad considering this is the only real/hard non-exam work you're doing the entire quarter for this class.
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Most Helpful Review
Fall 2021 - This is definitely an ESAY A GE, and it is the EASIEST CLASS I've ever taken at UCLA. Let me put it in this way: I only went to the lecture ONCE this quarter, and I literally didn't study for this class throughout the entire quarter, and I end up with an A+. You can find answers very easily for the quizzes and the exams. You DONT NEED TO STUDY FOR THIS CLASS, literally! The only time-consuming thing is the paper, but should take you less than three nights. Overall, this class is a guaranteed A class and you dont need to spend a single minute on the material. Easiest class ever, and absolutely worthy to take!
Fall 2021 - This is definitely an ESAY A GE, and it is the EASIEST CLASS I've ever taken at UCLA. Let me put it in this way: I only went to the lecture ONCE this quarter, and I literally didn't study for this class throughout the entire quarter, and I end up with an A+. You can find answers very easily for the quizzes and the exams. You DONT NEED TO STUDY FOR THIS CLASS, literally! The only time-consuming thing is the paper, but should take you less than three nights. Overall, this class is a guaranteed A class and you dont need to spend a single minute on the material. Easiest class ever, and absolutely worthy to take!
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