Courses

This course examines how changes in recording technology have reshaped the music industry and defined the creative possibilities available to musicians. From mechanical recording devices and analog studio equipment to digital production tools and streaming platforms, the course explores how technological innovation has influenced artistic practices, labor relations, and commercial structures in the music business. Through reading, listening, and their own research, students will explore how recording technologies both enabled new forms of musical expression and imposed constraints shaped by corporate interests and market demands. Emphasizing the intersection of technology, creativity, and capitalism, the course situates popular music within broader histories of media, business, and culture.