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Learner Reviews & Feedback for History of Rock, Part One by University of Rochester

4.8
stars
1,134 ratings

About the Course

This course, part 1 of a 2-course sequence, examines the history of rock, primarily as it unfolded in the United States, from the days before rock (pre-1955) to the end of the 1960s. This course covers the music of Elvis Presley, Chuck Berry, Phil Spector, Bob Dylan, the Beatles, the Rolling Stones, Jimi Hendrix, Cream, and many more artists, with an emphasis both on cultural context and on the music itself. We will also explore how developments in the music business and in technology helped shape the ways in which styles developed. Rock emerged in the mid 1950s as a blending of mainstream pop, rhythm and blues, and country and western--styles that previously had remained relatively separate. This new style became the music of the emerging youth culture and was often associated with teen rebellion. We will follow the story of how this rowdy first wave of rock and roll (1955-59) was tamed in the early 60s but came roaring back with the Beatles and the Rolling Stones and then went psychedelic by the end of the decade....

Top reviews

SM

Oct 1, 2016

This course has really helped to fill out my piecemeal understanding of the development of rock music. The pace and content of learning has been well considered and Prof Covach is to be congratulated.

BL

Mar 12, 2018

Provided insight into what I was listening to as a pre-teen. I didn't have the exposure to some of the older roots or the an understanding of the business forces that shaped the music I had access to.

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326 - 330 of 330 Reviews for History of Rock, Part One

By Cathy B

•

Mar 5, 2021

Undoubtedly, the instructor has a mountain of musical knowledge and is eager to share it all. Problematic for me was the free-association-style of lecturing that seemed to bounce around and meander. Eventually, I just followed along with the script, gleaning points of interest. It might also have been helpful, at the end of some of the lessons, to have a list of songs to listen to along with what to listen for. I would have preferred much more linear organization and a more formal style of lecturing, though I realize some will definitely lean toward the conversational style of this course, which is fair. I felt it rang a little too Wikipedia-like and suspect the course would benefit from being split into smaller components that had more depth of coverage.

By Jean R

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Sep 7, 2016

No use for me. No music examples because copyrights did not allow, so the course is pretty boring.

Sorry, not for me.

By Tayler G

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Feb 1, 2023

"History of rock" with no mention of Sister Rosetta Tharpe.? Not very well researched.

By ΔΗΜΗΤΡΗΣ Β

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Jan 11, 2021

Too long, too many questions, no music, boring, boring, boring

By Russell P

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Apr 13, 2018

Wish I could give negative stars