AAAS 146 · also MUSIC 146
Motown and American Soul Music
Anthony M. Kelley
Description from DukeHub
During the 1960's, in Detroit, Michigan, a landmark in music was established: The Motown Sound. This aural kaleidoscope of high quality, dynamic song creation was established through a confluence of talent and hard work by people whose names now line the halls of fame for popular music. Some of these luminaries include Berry Gordy, Diana Ross, Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, and Holland-Dozier-Holland. This course will investigate the societal and musical factors that gave rise to such a distinctive aesthetic, also framing this phenomenon as a point of comparison to a range of commercial music styles, including Philly Soul, Southern Soul, RnB, and current musical trends.
Skills
No skill passed the confidence bar. Weak matches go to review instead of this page: an AI pass that has to quote the description, then a person.
AI-resilient: 0 of 5
- No: Physical, lab or field work
- No: Live work with people
- No: Judgment someone is accountable for
- No: A craft you practice with your hands or body
- No: Small, in-person format
The checks lean on Microsoft Research, Working with AI (2025), which found generative AI applies least to physical work and hands-on work with people. A signal, not a promise. How the score works
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