This course will seek to account of how notions of Englishness have been reflected in English/British popular music since the Second World War. The thread that connects it all is the concept of Pop Englishness, which is presented in its broader manifestations (art, cinema, British culture), and especially in this course, in more specifical musical ones. The main aim of the course is to explore the (in)authenticity of English nationalism as it is refracted through pop (music) culture and to decode its complex national tropes by identity, imaginary concepts of a nation, geography, transnationalism and British music industry. Therefore, it will provide material for students interested about popular culture and national identity, performing arts, cultural history/heritage, urban and regional studies.
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- Teacher: Kari Kallioniemi