Evolving from syncopated African spirituals, field hollers, and Christian hymns, gospel singing has influenced musical traditions from the blues, to rock and soul. Through group singing, lecture, and audio-visual examples, this course will explore the vocal tradition of gospel music through a socio-cultural, historical, and aesthetic lens, and in so doing trace the development of one of the most exuberant and exciting vocal genres of North America. (Formerly MUS 108).