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This course has been offered in the summer sessions annually since 2001; however, it has been discontinued as a summer offering as of 2007. The final offering of this course for the foreseeable future will be in the spring of 2009; for further details, please consult the spring 2009 schedule of classes when it becomes available. This course may be used to fulfill an MUCP elective requirement for undergraduate composition majors, as well as upper division elective credits for other undergraduate majors (including BA students). Graduate students should consult their area advisors to determine how this course may be applied to specific degree plans.

Course Objective: to explore the musical, political, social, and cultural aspects of the life and work of American composer Frank Zappa (1940-1993). Course credit may be applied toward the degree for composition majors and Bachelor of Arts students. Other students should contact their advisors to enquire about applying credit for this course towards their degree.

Course History: Since 2001, over 75 undergraduate and graduate students from a variety of majors have enrolled in this course, including Music (Composition, Theory, Ethnomusicology, Music Education, Jazz Studies, Performance), Sociology, Art History, Philosophy, Psychology, English, Creative Writing, Anthropology, Mechanical Engineering, Chemistry, Radio/TV/Film, and Journalism. Information about past student projects is included in the Archive section of this course website.