This course studies the underlying elements of jazz concentrating on its cultural and historical development from its earliest stages to the present. No previous knowledge of music is required

This course is designed to provide the student with a more detailed understanding of meaning of jazz and its historical development and popularization. It will acquaint students with not only the jazz styles of the early 1900's through the present, but also with the earliest beginnings of jazz, so that they can identify the different eras and discuss the important aspects of these eras, and the influences of one era on others. Students will be able to compare eras, types of jazz, performers and composers, and to formulate and state their own opinions about jazz.