ADFA 2400 Hamilton and the American Musical

Few recent artworks have grabbed hold of the American public consciousness like Hamilton: An American Musical. Lin-Manuel Mirandas show is deeply rooted in the conventions of American musical theater, which since the mid-nineteenth century has been a site for exploring racial representation, cultural exchange, and national identity. Fueled by the vibrant musical language of hip hop, rooted in Black resistance, Hamilton met and reflected a volatile (and ongoing) moment of racial reckoning in America, and continues to accrue new meanings in the 2020s. In this course, students will examine the political, cultural, and musical resonances of Hamilton within these rich historical contexts.