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77913-01 - Seminar: The Grateful Dead: Lyrics, Music, Culture (3 CP)
| Semester | spring semester 2026 |
| Course frequency | Irregular |
| Lecturers | Andrew Shields (andrew.shields@unibas.ch, Assessor) |
| Content | 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. |
| Learning objectives | 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. |
| Bibliography | 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 |
| Admission requirements | 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. |
| Course application | Please register for the course on services.unibas.ch. The number of participants in this course is initially limited to 30. |
| Language of instruction | English |
| Use of digital media | Online, mandatory |
| Interval | Weekday | Time | Room |
|---|---|---|---|
| wöchentlich | Wednesday | 16.15-18.00 | Nadelberg 6, Raum 11 |
Dates
| Date | Time | Room |
|---|---|---|
| Wednesday 18.02.2026 | 16.15-18.00 | Nadelberg 6, Raum 11 |
| Wednesday 25.02.2026 | 16.15-18.00 | Fasnachtsferien |
| Wednesday 04.03.2026 | 16.15-18.00 | Nadelberg 6, Raum 11 |
| Wednesday 11.03.2026 | 16.15-18.00 | Nadelberg 6, Raum 11 |
| Wednesday 18.03.2026 | 16.15-18.00 | Nadelberg 6, Raum 11 |
| Wednesday 25.03.2026 | 16.15-18.00 | Nadelberg 6, Raum 11 |
| Wednesday 01.04.2026 | 16.15-18.00 | Nadelberg 6, Raum 11 |
| Wednesday 08.04.2026 | 16.15-18.00 | Nadelberg 6, Raum 11 |
| Wednesday 15.04.2026 | 16.15-18.00 | Nadelberg 6, Raum 11 |
| Wednesday 22.04.2026 | 16.15-18.00 | Nadelberg 6, Raum 11 |
| Wednesday 29.04.2026 | 16.15-18.00 | Nadelberg 6, Raum 11 |
| Wednesday 06.05.2026 | 16.15-18.00 | Nadelberg 6, Raum 11 |
| Wednesday 13.05.2026 | 16.15-18.00 | Nadelberg 6, Raum 11 |
| Wednesday 20.05.2026 | 16.15-18.00 | Nadelberg 6, Raum 11 |
| Wednesday 27.05.2026 | 16.15-18.00 | Nadelberg 6, Raum 11 |
| Modules |
Modul: Advanced Anglophone Literary and Cultural Studies (Bachelor's degree subject: English) |
| Assessment format | continuous assessment |
| Assessment details | 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. |
| Assessment registration/deregistration | Reg.: course registration; dereg.: not required |
| Repeat examination | no repeat examination |
| Scale | Pass / Fail |
| Repeated registration | as often as necessary |
| Responsible faculty | Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, studadmin-philhist@unibas.ch |
| Offered by | Fachbereich Englische Sprach- und Literaturwissenschaft |