Music, Art, Society, and Self from edX

Embark on a transformative journey of self-discovery through the lens of the arts in this engaging course. Unlike traditional memorization-based courses, this immersive experience encourages you to delve into your unique perspective and personal experiences with the arts, exploring how they not only intersect with society but also have the power to shape it.

In this dynamic learning environment, you won't just passively absorb information; you'll actively engage in learning by doing. This course challenges you to introspect, prompting you to dedicate time to contemplative thinking and view the world of arts through a reflective lens. Each unit is thoughtfully structured, offering three prompts to guide your exploration.

The Prose Prompt invites you to articulate your thoughts on paper, sharing your personal experiences and observations related to art and music. The Ponder Prompt encourages you to envision how you currently intersect with the arts or how these intersections might evolve in the future. Finally, the Portray Prompt empowers you to uncover deeper meanings behind familiar art or music and seek out new experiences that resonate with societal issues important to you.

Unit 1 sets the stage for exploring the intersection of the arts with people, while Unit 2 delves into the dynamic relationship between the arts, time and technology. Unit 3 challenges you to navigate the ever-changing landscape of the arts, and Unit 4 focuses on the profound connection between the arts and the communication of ideas and emotions. In this course, your unique perspective will be valued and celebrated through self-exploration and artistic discovery.

What's inside

Learning objective

In this course, you will learn to explore yourself in relationship to the arts through written reflections. you will have an opportunity to examine the roles that art play within families, friends and society and relate that to your life and community. you will discover and explore individual artistic and musical interests and abilities. everyone can become a more active listener of music and viewer of art — this course will teach you how to transform yourself.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Explores the connection between the arts and society, an interest for many social and human sciences students

Examines the intersection of the arts, technology, and time, a topic of interest to those in design and digital arts

Develops written and artistic communication skills, highly sought after by employers

Develops the ability to use multiple artistic mediums and perspectives to communicate ideas

Promotes self-reflection and personal growth through the study of the arts

Provides an outlet for creative expression, a need for many in the arts

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Music, Art, Society, and Self with these activities:

Review Unit 1: Course overview and the arts' impact

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Reviewing unit 1 will provide a foundational understanding of the role of arts in society and help to establish a framework for future learning.

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Re-read unit 1 materials
Take practice quiz on unit 1
Write a summary of the key concepts discussed in unit 1

Read 'Art & Soul' by bell hooks

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Reading 'Art & Soul' will provide you with a deeper understanding of the intersection of art and spirituality, as explored in Unit 3.

View Homegrown on Amazon

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Read the book
Take notes on the key concepts discussed
Write a review of the book

Writing practice: Prose and Ponder Prompts

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Engaging in regular writing practice will enhance your ability to articulate your thoughts and ideas, promoting active learning and deeper understanding of the concepts explored in the course.

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Complete the Prose and Ponder Prompts provided in each unit
Share your written pieces with a peer or mentor for feedback
Reflect on your writing and identify areas for improvement

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Career center

Learners who complete Music, Art, Society, and Self will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Artist

Artists create works of art, such as paintings, sculptures, and drawings. This course may be helpful to Artists by providing them with a deeper understanding of the history and theory of art, as well as the role that art plays in society. This knowledge can help them to develop their artistic skills and to create more meaningful works of art.

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Art Therapist

Art Therapists use art to help people improve their mental and emotional health. This course may be helpful to Art Therapists by providing them with a deeper understanding of the role that art plays in society, as well as the therapeutic benefits of art. This knowledge can help them to develop more effective art therapy programs and to better help their clients.

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Musician

Musicians perform music, either as soloists or as part of a group. This course may be helpful to Musicians by providing them with a deeper understanding of the history and theory of music, as well as the role that music plays in society. This knowledge can help them to become more proficient musicians and to better connect with their audiences.

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Music Therapist

Music Therapists use music to help people improve their mental and emotional health. This course may be helpful to Music Therapists by providing them with a deeper understanding of the role that music plays in society, as well as the therapeutic benefits of music. This knowledge can help them to develop more effective music therapy programs and to better help their clients.

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Music Teacher

Music Teachers teach music to students of all ages. This course may be helpful to Music Teachers by providing them with a deeper understanding of the history and theory of music, as well as the role that music plays in society. This knowledge can help them to develop more engaging and effective music lessons.

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Art teacher

Art Teachers teach art to students of all ages. This course may be helpful to Art Teachers by providing them with a deeper understanding of the history and theory of art, as well as the role that art plays in society. This knowledge can help them to develop more engaging and effective art lessons.

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Cultural Historian

Cultural Historians study the history of different cultures. This course may be helpful to Cultural Historians by providing them with a deeper understanding of the role that art plays in different cultures. This knowledge can help them to better understand the past and present of the cultures they study.

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Arts Educator

Arts Educators develop and implement arts education programs. This course may be helpful to Arts Educators by providing them with a deeper understanding of the role that art plays in society, as well as the best practices in arts education. This knowledge can help them to develop more effective arts education programs and to reach a wider audience.

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Cultural Anthropologist

Cultural Anthropologists study the cultures of different societies. This course may be helpful to Cultural Anthropologists by providing them with a deeper understanding of the role that art plays in different cultures. This knowledge can help them to better understand the people and cultures they study.

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Museum curator

Museum Curators plan and organize exhibitions, conduct research, and develop educational programs. This course may be helpful to Museum Curators by providing them with a broader understanding of the arts and their role in society. This knowledge can help them to develop more engaging and informative exhibitions and programs.

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Arts Administrator

Arts Administrators manage the business and operational aspects of arts organizations. This course may be helpful to Arts Administrators by providing them with a deeper understanding of the role that art plays in society, as well as the challenges and opportunities facing arts organizations. This knowledge can help them to make more informed decisions and to lead their organizations to success.

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Social Worker

Social Workers help people to improve their lives and well-being. This course may be helpful to Social Workers by providing them with a deeper understanding of the role that art plays in society, as well as the therapeutic benefits of art. This knowledge can help them to develop more effective social work programs and to better help their clients.

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Public Relations Specialist

Public Relations Specialists manage the public image of organizations and individuals. This course may be helpful to Public Relations Specialists by providing them with a deeper understanding of the role that art plays in society. This knowledge can help them to develop more effective public relations campaigns and to build stronger relationships with the public.

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Audiovisual Collection Specialist

Audiovisual Collection Specialists organize and catalog audio and video materials, ensuring that they are preserved and accessible. This course may be helpful to Audiovisual Collection Specialists by providing them with a deeper understanding of the history and evolution of the arts, as well as the role that art plays in society. This knowledge can help them to better understand the materials they are working with and to make informed decisions about how to preserve and catalog them.

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Journalist

Journalists write, edit, and publish news stories. This course may be helpful to Journalists by providing them with a deeper understanding of the role that art plays in society. This knowledge can help them to write more informed and engaging stories about the arts.

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