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77913-01 - Seminar: The Grateful Dead: Lyrics, Music, Culture (3 KP)
| Semester | Frühjahrsemester 2026 |
| Angebotsmuster | unregelmässig |
| Dozierende | Andrew Shields (andrew.shields@unibas.ch, BeurteilerIn) |
| Inhalt | This course will explore the lyrics and music of The Grateful Dead, a rock band from San Francisco that performed from 1965 to 1995. Beyond the band's songs, live perofrmances, and improvisational style, we will also look at their sources, history, and reception, as well as their iconography and the culture of the Deadheads (as the band's fans are known). To prepare for the course, listen to as much music by The Grateful Dead as you can. Here are a few good starting points: Studio albums: "Workingman's Dead" (1970) "American Beauty" (1970) "In The Dark" (1987), featuring the band's one actual hit, "Touch of Grey" Live albums: "Live/Dead" (1969), especially the first song, "Dark Star" "Europe '72" (1972), especially the medley of "China Cat Sunflower" and "I Know You Rider" "One From The Vault" (1991), a complete concert from 13 August 1975 "Wake Up To Find Out" (2014), a complete concert from 29 March 1990 If you have checked those albums out and want suggestions for more to listen to, email with comments about what you liked most, and I'll send you more suggesstions. For even more in-depth consideration of the band, you can listen to the official Grateful Dead podcast: https://www.dead.net/deadcast. Given that it's been running since 2020, you might wonder where to start, so I recommend starting with the first episode from 20 May 2020, which begins a series on the "Workingman's Dead" album with its first song, "Uncle John's Band" (one of their best-known songs, and one of my favorites). A detailed syllabus will be available by 1 February 2026. Full disclosure: I am definitely a Deadhead. I saw them 82 times between 1982 and 1995. |
| Lernziele | In-depth study of the lyrics and music of The Grateful Dead, along with consideration of their iconography, their fans, and their place in music history. |
| Literatur | For lyrics to songs written and performed by The Grateful Dead, check the Grateful Dead Lyric and Song Finder site: https://www.whitegum.com/intro.htm Selected primary texts and secondary literature will be provided by the instructor. |
| Weblink | ADAM |
| Teilnahmevoraussetzungen | This seminar is for BA students in English on the advanced level. Students must have completed ALL three introductory modules (including the proseminar papers).—Students with other majors are welcome to join the class as well, but there is a preliminary limit of 30 students, and priority will be given to English majors. Contact the instructor if you have questions. |
| Anmeldung zur Lehrveranstaltung | Please register for the course on services.unibas.ch. The number of participants in this course is initially limited to 30. |
| Unterrichtssprache | Englisch |
| Einsatz digitaler Medien | Online-Angebot obligatorisch |
| Intervall | Wochentag | Zeit | Raum |
|---|---|---|---|
| wöchentlich | Mittwoch | 16.15-18.00 | Nadelberg 6, Raum 11 |
Einzeltermine
| Datum | Zeit | Raum |
|---|---|---|
| Mittwoch 18.02.2026 | 16.15-18.00 Uhr | Nadelberg 6, Raum 11 |
| Mittwoch 25.02.2026 | 16.15-18.00 Uhr | Fasnachtsferien |
| Mittwoch 04.03.2026 | 16.15-18.00 Uhr | Nadelberg 6, Raum 11 |
| Mittwoch 11.03.2026 | 16.15-18.00 Uhr | Nadelberg 6, Raum 11 |
| Mittwoch 18.03.2026 | 16.15-18.00 Uhr | Nadelberg 6, Raum 11 |
| Mittwoch 25.03.2026 | 16.15-18.00 Uhr | Nadelberg 6, Raum 11 |
| Mittwoch 01.04.2026 | 16.15-18.00 Uhr | Nadelberg 6, Raum 11 |
| Mittwoch 08.04.2026 | 16.15-18.00 Uhr | Nadelberg 6, Raum 11 |
| Mittwoch 15.04.2026 | 16.15-18.00 Uhr | Nadelberg 6, Raum 11 |
| Mittwoch 22.04.2026 | 16.15-18.00 Uhr | Nadelberg 6, Raum 11 |
| Mittwoch 29.04.2026 | 16.15-18.00 Uhr | Nadelberg 6, Raum 11 |
| Mittwoch 06.05.2026 | 16.15-18.00 Uhr | Nadelberg 6, Raum 11 |
| Mittwoch 13.05.2026 | 16.15-18.00 Uhr | Nadelberg 6, Raum 11 |
| Mittwoch 20.05.2026 | 16.15-18.00 Uhr | Nadelberg 6, Raum 11 |
| Mittwoch 27.05.2026 | 16.15-18.00 Uhr | Nadelberg 6, Raum 11 |
| Module |
Modul: Advanced Anglophone Literary and Cultural Studies (Bachelor Studienfach: Englisch) |
| Prüfung | Lehrveranst.-begleitend |
| Hinweise zur Prüfung | Credit for the course will be given to those who attend regularly, participate in the discussions, and immerse themselves in the world of The Grateful Dead. |
| An-/Abmeldung zur Prüfung | Anmelden: Belegen; Abmelden: nicht erforderlich |
| Wiederholungsprüfung | keine Wiederholungsprüfung |
| Skala | Pass / Fail |
| Belegen bei Nichtbestehen | beliebig wiederholbar |
| Zuständige Fakultät | Philosophisch-Historische Fakultät, studadmin-philhist@unibas.ch |
| Anbietende Organisationseinheit | Fachbereich Englische Sprach- und Literaturwissenschaft |