Throughout modern history, individuals have taken extraordinary pleasure in sharing the music that they love with others. Why we like the music that we do and why we feel the need to share it with others can tell us a lot about who we are as individuals. From the emergence of rock and roll and teenage culture in the 1950s to the careful cultivation of mixtapes in the 1980s to workout and party playlists in the present day, consuming and sharing music has been a common thread that connects individuals with one another. In this course, we will discuss the power of popular music in our lives, what draws us to specific kinds of music, the history of music consumption, and why music has such enormous potential to create deeper bonds between individuals. Learning objectives of this course will be to explore why individuals gravitate towards the music that they enjoy, learn about the history of music consumption in the United States, understand the importance of sharing music with others to develop social and interpersonal connections, and develop oral and written communication skills to communicate thoughts and ideas effectively. Assignments will include attending and reviewing a local live musical performance of your choice, a “playlist project” where you create your own “digital mix tape” centered around a specific mood or theme, and a final research project of a music-related topic of your choice. However, at the heart of this course, is engaged and open discussions with one another about why we love the music we do and why it’s important to share the music we love with others.