College level Jewish Music course

[DAVID CHEVAN <dchevan...>]

I have a question for the group.

For the past four years I have been trying unsuccessfully to offer a course
on the history of Jewish music at the college where I teach (Southern
Connecticut State University, New Haven).  However, it finally looks like my
patience will be rewarded.  The enrollment figures for the fall look good
enough for it to run.  So now I am beginning in earnest to make plans for
the course.  When I first began to develop the course, a few years ago, I
had discussed  the subject and received suggestions and help from several
members of this group about books and syllabus.  But time has passed and I
have been spending much more time of late making Jewish music rather than
studying it as an academic subject.  I am devoting this summer to getting
myself back up to speed and revising my syllabus.  The question I am posing
for  the group is twofold.

1.  Suggestions about subjects in Jewish music that you absolutely feel MUST
be covered in a sophomore-junior level survey music history course.

2. A textbook or series of books that you feel adequately addresses the
subject for this particular level of students.  Keep in mind that I teach at
a school where most of the kids hold full-time jobs in order to go to
college.  Not only do they have trouble affording the textbooks, I find them
so busy trying to make both ends meet that I cannot give them Ivy School
length  reading assignments.  I've looked over the field and personally
haven't found a single recent book (I'm not counting Idelsohn and feel funny
asking the students to use a book that is missing the last 60+ years of the
history) that might address my concerns.  Has anyone suggestions?

I hope to hear from you either off-group or on this talk group.  Outside of
my obvious needs, I think this subject  might make for an interesting and
provocative discussion.

Thanks --

David
<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
David Chevan, Bassologist
for more info visit my web site located at
 www.chevan.addr.com

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