Class dates: Wednesday, June 3 and 10 (2 weeks)

Class time: 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm

Location: Assumption campus, Kennedy Hall Room 119

In looking for a portrait that reflects America since our founding 250 years ago, there may be no better way to understand the broad and diverse nature of us than through our music. This course will attempt to do that through an eclectic mix of music and songs that reflect both the American ideal and a view of what we are today.

When thinking about the American experience since our founding, the first thing that comes to mind musically are songs like “God Bless America” and “America the Beautiful”, and these certainly represent one aspect of our country. But we are much more than that. We are largely a nation of immigrants who came here in waves from different countries at various times – often driven here by poverty and conflicts in our homelands. And we are also a country of regional differences, from the Northeast to the South to the Midwest to the Rockies and the West Coast. Songs reflect that – from “Georgia on my Mind” to “California Girls.” Sometimes these differences result in a melting pot of cultures and ideals – other times in conflict and repression.

This course will look to capture in music and song much of what made America, from its founding to what we are as a country today.

Instructor: Joe Corn spent most of his professional career as a working electrical engineer. His teaching experience has included science and math in the NYC school system, technology instructor at Springfield Technical Community College (STCC), engineering course instructor at Penn State University, and technical instructor at Moore Products Co. Since joining WISE 15 years ago, he has taught courses in both technology and music. Joe is a past President of WISE. He and his wife Bobbi reside in Grafton.