Focuses on the musical styles, traditions, and social circumstances that led to a distinctive form of American popular music in the 1950's and '60's. In addition to developing critical listening skills to discern subtle distinctions among such styles and sub-styles as blues, folk, jazz, and country, the course also considers the diverse social trends that helped drive changes and developments in the various styles and genres covered. While some attention will be devoted to rock music of the mid-late sixties, the course emphasizes the various musical styles that preceded rock.