RACC 2010 Introduction

The Department of Behavioral Sciences presents “Reading Across the Campus and Community” (RACC 2010). This semester long activity undertakes a detailed analysis of a selected book through a series of group discussions, films and lecture.

The selected book for the 2010 spring semester is The Record Men: The Chess Brothers and the Birth of Rock and Roll by Rich Cohen. The book examines the emergence of the “Blues” out of the Mississippi Delta by key artist like Muddy Waters and Howlin’ Wolf who with many others migrated to Chicago. It focuses on how these artists and independent record companies transformed music in America and the world.

RACC 2010 features this online blog in addition to selected events on WJAB 90.9 radio and the Alabama A&M University television channels. RACC 2010 kicks off on January 21 and will include a Blues concert on the Quad (April 14) and a closing lecture by author Rich Cohen (April 15). A calendar of events and study/discussion guide will be posted on this site. We encourage your thoughtful comments.

Thanks to all of our RACC 2010 partners: AAMU CETL (Centers for Excellence in Teaching and Learning),WJAB, AAMU Scholartorium, AAMU Honors Center, AAMU Learning Resource Center, Information Literacy, and Microwave Dave and the Nukes. And a special thanks to the AAMU Chicago Alumni Chapter for agreeing to provide their special insight on the Chicago environment where much of the focus of the book takes place.

For those of who are familiar with SecondLife, beginning in mid-January visit our display at: http://slurl.com/secondlife/Virtual%20Harlem/224/96/30

All members of the university family as well as the community-at-large are invited to “JOIN US and READ”.

RACC 2010 Calendar (Study/Discussion Guide)

RACC 2010 Calendar
Study/Discussion Guide

January 21: RACC Kickoff (LRC: 12:30)
January 28: Film, “Going to Chicago” (LRC: 12:30 and 7:00)
February 4: Discussion-Chapters 1 & 2, pp. 1-13, 23-68 (Drake Hall 12:30)
February 18: Film, “Ain’t Nothing but the Blues” (LRC: 12:30 and 7:00)
February 25: Movie, Crossroads (LRC: 7:00)
March 4: Discussion,-Chapters 3 & 4, pp. 69-118, 120-154 (LRC 12:30)
March 25: Film, “Wild Women Don’t Get the Blues” (LRC: 12:30 and 7:00)
April 1: Discussion-Chapters 5 & 6, pp. 156-178, 179-198 (LRC 12:30)
April 8: Movie, Cadillac Records (LRC: 7:00)
April 14: Blues Concert on the Quad (7:00-10:00pm) (Microwave Dave/A&M Students)
April 15: Author’s Lecture: Rich Cohen (Knight Center 12:30-2:00)