CU Boulder’s Division of Continuing Education and Professional Studies will offer two new courses focused on American cultural traditions to its Winter Session lineup beginning in January 2018. The courses are open to enrolled students and members of the public alike and feature online components mixed with cultural excursions to New York and New Orleans.
The new courses in American musical theater and jazz in New Orleans join a collection of unique offerings this winter, including such favorites as Advanced Horror Fiction Writing at the Stanley Hotel.
Who: Open to current CU Boulder students, visiting students and community members
When: Dec. 26 to Jan. 13
Cost: $3,000 (includes tuition and lodging during the residency)
Deadline to apply: Oct. 31
American musical theater on Broadway
Acclaimed actor and director Bud Coleman, a CU Boulder theater professor, will teach this course, which explores American musical theater and its relation to the continually changing social milieu. The course is designed to help students better appreciate, analyze and evaluate musical theater both by viewing 10 musical theater films and seeing five live performances on Broadway in New York City.
“I look forward to introducing my students to New York City and seeing American musical theater through their eyes and hearts,” said Coleman. “It is a uniquely American art form, created by immigrants and inspired by the land of opportunity. Populist at heart, musical theater is a mirror whereby we express who we are through song, text and movement.”
Jazz in New Orleans
CU Boulder Professor of Jazz Studies, John Davis, meantime, will teach the history of jazz music in New Orleans from 1900, focusing on the people, places and events of New Orleans that shaped the development of jazz. This course helps students develop an appreciation for the many cultures and factors that helped to shape the city of New Orleans and the music that has been such an integral part of its identity.
Davis says the course provides a deeper and richer understanding of and connection to the subject.
“Being in the city and actually standing in the same locations where jazz masters got their start adds a depth of understanding that simply isn’t possible in a classroom,” Davis said. “To hear the authentic music being played by local musicians in the same halls that became famous for jazz, visit the locations where significant developments took place and hear directly from guest speakers who grew up with and continue to play New Orleans jazz will make this an experience to remember.”
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The 3-credit courses are presented in a hybrid format with a portion of required coursework online and a portion conducted in person during a one-week residency in New Orleans and New York City, respectively.
Music in American Culture: Jazz in New Orleans and The Development of American Musical Theatre on Broadway are part of Winter Session, a program offered by Continuing Education during CU Boulder’s 2018 winter break. Winter Session offers off-campus learning experiences that allow students and community members to gain field experience while working alongside leading experts.
Other Winter Session courses offered in January include Advanced Horror Fiction Writing at the Stanley Hotel, Ecology and Adaptation: Animals & Humans in the Yellowstone Ecosystem and Mountain Meteorology Lab Experience at the CU Boulder SEEC Lab.
