David Bowie — The Major Albums

• Spring 2021
• Professor: Brian Kim Stefans 
• Email: stefans@humnet.ucla.edu 
• Time: Tuesdays, 3-3:50
• Office Hours: Wednesdays, 12-2

Introduction

The singer, composer and actor David Bowie, who passed away in 2016, needs no introduction. In this course, we will listen to and discuss the key albums from his catalog including Hunky Dory, Ziggy Stardust, Young Americans, Station to Station, the “Berlin Trilogy,” Scary Monsters and his final LP, Blackstar, released just days before his death. Topics include Bowie’s relationship to the bands of the “British Invasion,” Black American music, avant-garde music, and sub-genres of pop including Glam, Krautrock, and various flavors of EDM. We will also discuss Bowie’s various personae, the changes in his vocal style over the years, how he constructed his songs, his collaborations with Brian Eno, and the enormous influence he had on fashion and early forms of the music video. 

Every student must have access to a streaming music service such as Spotify. Students are expected to listen to each assigned album at least twice. Occasionally, some videos on YouTube will also be assigned. Weekly, students post comments to the class blog.

Class Policies 

Your Responsibilities

I will be creating a class blog. Every week, I’d like you to post a few comments relating to the questions I’ve posed below. It would even better if you have an active discussion on the blog, since we will only have an hour of time each week to listen to and talk about the music. 

In addition to the questions posed, I’d also like to think about how some of these music techniques have survived to today. 

You can use any streaming service you’d like to listen to the entire albums. Many of the tracks that I link to on YouTube are also on Spotify with the exception of the live tracks. Also, I’m sure some of these LPs are also available on YouTube, but of a lesser sound quality. 

Also:

Tell me as soon as you see problems arising — personal, financial, etc. — that you think will hinder your progress in the class. You can write me an email or schedule a one-on-one before or after class to discuss.

I take attendance every day. More than two absences (or [Zooming] late frequently) affects your grade. 

The Classroom

I like to conduct an open discussion. If you are shy about interrupting me or one of the other students, the best way to get my attention is to drop a note in the chat. Please be sure that you have a good audio connection. I’d like you to keep your cameras on since it gives me a sense that you’re there and paying attention.

Grading

Grading is based on your blog comments and class participation. I won’t be grading on grammar, quality of writing, depth of thought or anything — just remind me that you’re keeping up with the music!