Music and Social Action from Coursera

What is a musician’s response to the condition of the world? Do musicians have an obligation and an opportunity to serve the needs of the world with their musicianship?

At a time of crisis for the classical music profession, with a changing commercial landscape, a shrinking audience base, and a contraction in the number of professional orchestras, how does a young musician construct a career today? Are we looking at a dying art form or a moment of reinvigoration?

In this course we will develop a response to these questions, and we will explore the notion that the classical musician, the artist, is an important public figure with a critical role to play in society.

The course will include inquiry into a set of ideas in philosophy of aesthetics; a discussion about freedom, civil society, and ways that art can play a role in readying people for democracy; discussion on philosophy of education as it relates to the question of positive social change; and an exploration of musical and artistic initiatives that have been particularly focused on a positive social impact.

Guiding questions for this course inquiry will include:

- How can classical music effect social change?

- How has music made positive change in communities around the globe?

- What can the field of classical music learn from other movements for social change?

- How have educators and philosophers thought about the arts and their connection to daily contemporary life?

Each class will explore one critical question through lectures, discussions, interviews, or documentaries.

What's inside

Syllabus

Welcome to Music and Social Action

Learn what this course is about, who's teaching it, and other ways you can explore this topic. Meet and greet your peers as well!

What is Art and How Do We Experience It?

In this module, we will discuss philosophers John Dewey and Maxine Greene, and their respective views on the possibilities contained within aesthetic experiences. How can aesthetic experience meaningfully contribute to public life?

Democracy and the Arts, Part 1

How can artistic and aesthetic experiences make a more engaged public? Is there a connection between individual transformative experiences with art and any broader societal impact? What is the role of the artist in a democracy?

Democracy and the Arts, Part II

How have we conceived of the artist's role in American society? What are examples of artists furthering civil society? How do we continually imagine fulfilling the promise of a democracy, embracing Maxine Greene's notion that it is always unfinished?

Arts and Urban Renewal

How have the arts been a driving force for change in American cities? What are the potentials and pitfalls when positioning artists in this role? This class will pursue these questions through a series of case studies, including a video tour of arts organizations focused on urban renewal in Providence and New Haven, and the development of Lincoln Center in New York City.

20th Century Artists and Social Commitment

This class will explore examples of artists from the past hundred years who have been committed to making positive contributions to political or social issues of their time.

21st Century Artists and Social Commitment

This class will involve a discussion with performing musicians and a look at examples of artists and musicians from the past hundred years who have been committed to making positive contributions to political or social issues of their time.

Creating Social Action

In this final lecture, we will discuss traditions of social action, and how artists work toward building civil society.

Final Reflection

One of the primary goals of this course has been to explore the connections between key concepts from the philosophy of aesthetics, historical examples of musicians who worked toward social action, and contemporary artistic initiatives. This final response is intended to help you consider how these theoretical and historical issues relate to the role of artists and the arts in contemporary life, and how they might apply to your own community and your own involvement with the arts.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Examines the connection between classical music and social change

Taught by instructors Sebastian Ruth, who is recognized for their work in music and social action

Explores the role of artists in a democracy and how they can further civil society

Develops an understanding of how arts and urban renewal are connected

Explores examples of artists who have made positive contributions to political and social issues

Requires students to have come in with extensive background knowledge first, such as familiarity with philosophy of aesthetics

Reviews summary

Music and meaningful change

According to students, Music and Social Action is a phenomenal course that offers compelling insights into the connections between music and social change. Students rave about the engaging assignments, knowledgeable instructors, and enriching content that gives learners a fresh perspective on the role of music in fostering positive change. Students especially appreciate how this course inspires them to take direct action through music. Overall, this course is highly recommended for anyone interested in using their musical abilities for meaningful change in society.

Course encourages students to take action and make a difference in their communities.

"I'd like to take this opportunity to thank Dr Sebastian Ruth for this beautiful MOOC, the passion he has delivered in every single step of the online learning, giving me the invaluable opportunity of accessing such deep knowledge while enjoying the whole length of my studies."

"This course helped me clarify and advance my thinking, providing me with a theoretical grounding of music and social action."

"I thoroughly enjoyed participating on this course. It was really interesting and thought provoking."

Instructors are experts in music and social action, and share their passion with students.

"The multimedia material explored in the course was excellent! I really enjoyed this course."

"This was a truly fascinating course which introduced me to interesting and valuable readings while developing my own academic and activist practice!"

"Excellently sturctured, expertly delivered, catering for the beginner and the experienced learner."

Course challenges students to think critically about the role of music in society.

"This course is a little confusing, as it is not just music but also art. As well as the relation of Social Action (political expects)."

"It's an amazing course! If you really wanna improve your knowledge as Musicians or Artists and power's action in your community, you need to enroll in this course."

"This course was so informative and insightful. I have thoroughly enjoyed the lectures and the readings and look forward to doing further research on the subject."

Course inspires students to use music to make a difference in the world.

"This course has given me so much more than I had ever hoped for! A true eye-opener for anyone who is involved in the arts!"

"I thought the course was great!. I enjoyed all the lectures and videos, and hope to meet professor Sebastian personally some day."

Course covers a variety of topics related to music and its role in social action.

"This course has given me so much more than I had ever hoped for! A true eye-opener for anyone who is involved in the arts!"

"I was able to come and think of music in a different way and thanks to experiences in my life, come to understand what some of the artist and authors were saying within their books."

"This course is amazing. I was able to come and think of music in a different way and thanks to experiences in my life, come to understand what some of the artist and authors were saying within their books."

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 and Social Action with these activities:

Contribute to Open Music Projects

Show steps

Engage with the open source music community to enhance your understanding of collaboration and innovation in the field.

Show steps

Find open source music projects on platforms like GitHub or SourceForge.
Review the project documentation and code.
Make contributions to the project, such as bug fixes, code improvements, or feature additions.

Create a Playlists on the Power of Music

Show steps

Explore the emotional and social impact of music by curating a playlist that showcases its power to evoke feelings and inspire action.

Browse courses on Music and Emotion

Show steps

Brainstorm different themes or emotions you want your playlist to evoke.
Research and select songs that align with your theme.
Create your playlist on a streaming platform.

Show all two activities

Career center

Learners who complete Music and Social Action will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Arts Advocate

Arts Advocates promote and support the arts through lobbying, public relations, and community outreach. This course will provide you with a deep understanding of the arts and their role in society, as well as the skills necessary to effectively advocate for the arts.

See salaries and explore the career path for Arts Advocate

Music Therapist

Music Therapists can use music as a tool to help people improve their physical, emotional, cognitive, and social well-being. This course can help you build a theoretical foundation for your practice, as well as deeper understanding of how music can be used for positive social change. Additionally, this course may help you connect with potential mentors or employers.

See salaries and explore the career path for Music Therapist

Music Producer

Music Producers oversee the recording, mixing, and mastering of music. This course can provide you with foundational knowledge of the art and techniques of music production, as well as a deeper understanding of the music industry.

See salaries and explore the career path for Music Producer

Music Teacher

As a Music Teacher, your daily responsibilities may include planning, preparing, and delivering engaging music lessons to students of all ages. This course can help you build the skills necessary for effective teaching, lesson planning, and student engagement. This course will also help equip you with concepts you can use to inspire and engage your future students.

See salaries and explore the career path for Music Teacher

Arts Administrator

Arts Administrators plan, organize, and manage the operations of arts organizations, such as theaters, museums, and music venues. This course will provide you with a strong foundation in key concepts in philosophy of aesthetics and the role of art in society, as well as develop your management and organizational skills.

See salaries and explore the career path for Arts Administrator

Music Journalist

Music Journalists write about music for newspapers, magazines, and websites. This course can help you develop the writing and critical thinking skills necessary to succeed in this field, as well as a deeper understanding of music and its role in society.

See salaries and explore the career path for Music Journalist

Program Director

Program Directors plan, organize, and manage arts programs for organizations such as schools, community centers, and museums. This course can help build a foundation in key concepts in philosophy of aesthetics and the role of art in society, as well as the management and organizational skills necessary to lead a successful arts program.

See salaries and explore the career path for Program Director

Music Critic

Music Critics analyze, interpret, and write about music performances, recordings, and compositions. This course will help you develop the critical thinking and writing skills necessary to succeed in this field, as well as a deeper understanding of music and its role in society.

See salaries and explore the career path for Music Critic

Arts Fundraiser

Arts Fundraisers raise funds for arts organizations through grants, donations, and special events. This course will provide you with the skills necessary to develop and implement successful fundraising campaigns, as well as a deeper understanding of the arts industry.

See salaries and explore the career path for Arts Fundraiser

Arts Consultant

Arts Consultants provide consulting services to arts organizations, government agencies, and businesses. This course will provide you with a broad understanding of the arts industry, as well as the skills necessary to develop and implement successful consulting projects.

See salaries and explore the career path for Arts Consultant

Performing Musician

Performing Musicians perform music for audiences in a variety of settings, including concerts, recitals, and festivals. This course can help build a foundation in key concepts in philosophy of aesthetics and the role of art in society, as well as the performance skills necessary to succeed in this field.

See salaries and explore the career path for Performing Musician

Music Director

Music Directors oversee and lead musical ensembles, such as orchestras, bands, or choirs. This course can help you gain a deeper understanding of music and its role in society, as well as develop the leadership and management skills necessary to lead a successful music ensemble.

See salaries and explore the career path for Music Director

Music Librarian

Music Librarians acquire, catalog, and manage music collections in libraries, archives, and other institutions. This course can provide you with the knowledge and skills necessary to manage a music library, as well as a deeper understanding of music and its role in society.

See salaries and explore the career path for Music Librarian

Arts Educator

An Arts Educator, also known as an arts integration specialist, develops and implements arts-based learning programs in schools. This course may provide you with a deeper understanding of the role of arts and music can play in the development of young people, as well as strategies for using music to create transformative learning experiences for students.

See salaries and explore the career path for Arts Educator

Event Planner

Event Planners organize and manage events, such as concerts, festivals, and conferences. This course can help you to gain an understanding of event planning and management. This course will help you build a foundation in key concepts in philosophy of aesthetics and the role of art in society.

See salaries and explore the career path for Event Planner