E S349s Bob Dylan

Home , Bound for Glory (book), Dave Van Ronk, Like a Rolling Stone, Slow Train Coming, Song to Woody, Tears of Rage

Instructor: Doherty, Brian Areas: Roman Numeral I–VI Unique #: 83748 Flags: Flag Name(s) Semester: Summer 2013 Restrictions: Honors, Longhorn Scholars, etc. Cross-lists: XXX ### Computer Instruction: Y/N

Prerequisites: Six semester hours of upper-division coursework in English.

Description: The New Criticism in literary studies propounded that it is the text alone which needs to be explored by the critic— biography, history, geography, anything outside of the text is irrelevant to criticism. While we will do quite a bit of close reading of Dylan’s songs (poems) this will not be a course fueled by the New Criticism. Dylan is emblematic of his times, of the folk tradition, of the era of rock music, of the legions of singer-songwriters who followed. He is influential to scores of artists, and was influenced by scores of artists. We will take much of this into consideration as we explore Bob Dylan, the artist, Bob Dylan, the Mythic Figure of American culture. Bob Dylan the musician.

Texts: Dylan, Bob. Chronicles, Volume One. Marcus, Griel. Like a Rolling Stone Other Readings will be made available in a course reader, posted as links to online articles, or as pdf files.

Requirements & Grading: Quizzes. Best 5 of 7 for grade. 10% Test on Dylan, his Times and Influences 20% Book Report on assigned Book 10% Portfolio on your assigned song. 15% Participation in discussion on blog or blackboard. 15% Formal Analytical Paper on Dylan and his work, or Analytical Reading/observation journal on your Dylan class life 30%

Attendance in Class is required. Students may miss up to 4 classes with no penalty. For each missed class beyond 4, there will be a 7 point deduction from the student’s cumulative grade. This includes absences for any reason.

Plus and minus grades will be used in the class. A = 93-100; A- = 90-92.9; B + = 88-89.9; B = 83=87.9; B- = 80-82.9; C+ = 78-79.9; C = 73-77.9; C- = 70-72.9; D = 65-69.9. Below 65 = F. Please be aware of University policies and services for students with disabilities: http://www.utexas.edu/diversity/ddce/ssd/ Please be aware of the University Standard for Academic Integrity: http://deanofstudents.utexas.edu/sjs/acint_student.php

Schedule: July 15: Introduction to the Course. Distribution of song for your portfolio. Short analysis of song (with no outside critics). 16: The birth of Bob Dylan. Chronicles, Chapter One. Ellen Willis, “Dylan.” “Blowin’ in the Wind.” “Masters of War.” 17: Excerpt from The Mayor of MacDougal Street, by Dave Van Ronk. Radio interview with Studs Terkel. “House of the Risin’ Sun.” “A Hard Rain’s Gonna Fall.” 18: Excerpt from Woody Guthrie, Bound for Glory. “Song to Woody,” “Talkin’ New York.” 19: Woody Guthrie, Joan Baez, Dave Van Ronk. Definitions of, social and political importance of, folk music.

22: America/ Americana. Chronicles, Chapter Two. (23-104). 23: Focus on the Album: The Times They Are a Changin’. 24: Focus on the Album: Bringin’ It all Back Home. 25: Test Number one on material shared thus far. 26: Bob Dylan and The Band. Greil Marcus’ liner notes on The Basement Tapes. Songs: “Tears of Rage,” “This Whell’s on Fire,” When I Paint my Masterpiece.”

29: Greil Marcus. Like A Rolling Stone: Bob Dylan at the Crossroads Pp. 30: Greil Marcus. Like A Rolling Stone: Bob Dylan at the Crossroads 31: Focus on the Album: Blonde on Blonde. Aug. 1: Two songs from Blonde on Blonde. “Visions of Johanna: and “Sad-Eyed Lady of the Lowlands.” Christopher Ricks (97- 108). Michael Grey (202-09). Greil Marcus, “Visions and Visions of Johanna.” 2: Another Poet-Songwriter. The Case of Leonard Cohen.

5: Chronicles Chapter 3. Poems by Archibald MacLeish. Readings in the Press (1967-70) about Dylan and his obligations. Songs from the New Morning album. 6: Chronicles, chapter 4. Music from the album O Mercy. 7: Another side of Bob Dylan. Dylan born again, Dylan and The Bible. Songs from Slow Train Coming and Saved. 8: Later Music. Bob Dylan in the 21st Century. 9: Another Poet-Songwriter. The Case of Joni Mitchell.

12: Bob Dylan: Portrait of the Artist. Chronicles chapter 5. Song, “Pirate Jenny,” by Brecht and Weil. 13: 14: Event: Dylan’s 2011 trip to China. The artist’s responsibility, redux. 15: Bob Dylan since July 15. We’ll look at writings by and about Dylan since the course began. Time permitting, we will revisit some of the songs and talk about songs you were given for student portfolio. 16: We discuss the transformation of Dylan that comes from immersion in his work, life and times. How does popular culture today have the power to create a mythology that in large part doesn’t match the artist? Saturday, August 17. Final papers, observation journals due by 5 p.m.

Policies:

Documented Disability Statement: The University of Texas at Austin provides upon request appropriate academic accommodations for qualified students with disabilities. For more information, contact Services for Students with Disabilities at 471-6259 (voice) or 232-2937 (video phone), or visit http://www.utexas.edu/diversity/ddce/ssd.

Instructors: Doherty, Brian