New course rocks students

A new course, Rock Music in Context, is being offered on the campus of Texas A&M University-Commerce. It is a special topics course that is currently only offered for the Spring 2010 semester. It is in the curriculum for the department of sociology and criminal Justice.

Dr. Brad Klypchak, assistant professor of liberal studies, is teaching the course.

"I was offered the chance to teach the course," Klypchak said. "I thought it was a wonderful opportunity to do something that falls outside of the traditional curriculum."

The class is a type of course known as a hybrid course.

"Half the class is conducted online, and half is in the classroom," Klypchak said. "We meet Wednesdays which are largely discussion days, and I put up an online lecture."

The format of the class is beneficial to John Huizar. Huizar is a senior sociology major at A&M-Commerce and a student of the class.

"It's very helpful to have all our readings and copies of assignments online so we can access them anytime from anywhere," Huizar said.

The class is also small-about 16 students total.

"If it was any larger, there would be people that would be marginalized, who wouldn't get a chance to be heard," Huizar said.

Kerry Hendricks, a junior sociology major and also a member the class, agrees.

"The people in there are serious about the class, and everyone has something to bring to the table," Hendricks said.

The students study different facets of music and pop culture.

"I think, across the board, examining popular cultural practices matter," Klypchak said. "It's more than just entertainment and listening to songs on the radio."

"There's a lot more to it than you would originally guess," Hendricks said."It isn't an easy, blow off class for just anyone to come in and take. It gives me the opportunity to take what I have learned in sociology and apply it to rock music."

Huizar was at first skeptical about taking the class.

"I had been worried it would be a blow off class where people just talk about how much they like music," Huizar said. "I like the fact that Dr. Klypchak did make this academically rigorous. We have numerous projects relating to music but it all ties in to academics."

Since Rock Music in Context is a special topics course, it is not part of the regular curriculum and is not guaranteed to be offered in the future. If it is, Dr. Klypchak would be willing to teach it again.

"I would love to have the opportunity to do this again," Klypchak said.

In order to have the course offered again, there must be interest expressed to administration from several students. Huizar would be in favor of the continuation of the course.

"I think they should offer it each semester, if possible, to students," Huizar said. "You'll never look at music the same way again."