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This course is designed as a series of highlights. We will explore a wide range of musical works and cultural topics related to George Gershwin’s life and career. Questions to be posed over the course of the semester will include: Who were Gershwin’s colleagues and collaborators? How did Gershwin’s music interact with the racial terrain of American culture during the Jim Crow era? And does it continue to engage with issues of race today? How has Gershwin’s legacy been shaped by American political and business interests? Did technology play a role in the shaping of his “American” sound? If yes, then how did technology influence Gershwin’s creative identity? Students will be asked to lead discussions about Gershwin's compositions, so success is dependent upon setting aside blocks of time on a regular basis to complete the various listening and reading assignments. Written assignments will include creating annotated playlists related to various facets of Gershwin’s career and a final research paper/long-form essay that relates to material discussed in class.