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Show page 14 , Spring 2004 PROFILES BY SPENCER SUTHERLAND PHOTO BY JIMMY MARTIN Ik For Those About to Rock: Music Professor John Costa is Not Just a One-Hit Wonder J J I "^ avid Bowie was going to introduce something 1 new. Ziggy Stardust would not only be a cross F -J dresser, but a cross dresser from outer space," said John Costa during a lecture in his class, the History of Rock and Roll. Costa's course material includes references to androgyny, psychedelic drugs and political protests to biting the heads off of bats. Many students ask, "What does this have to do with our college education?" "Education is more than just learning a specialty," said Costa. He believes "it is about opening the door to understanding." The History of Rock and Roll is a course that encourages students to think and understand the world in terms of creative relationships. Unlike typical history courses, Costa provides students with more than a timeline of dates and events. He explains why certain artists and musical groups are "original" and the elements that influenced their creativity and performance. "It's important to understand where things come from," said Costa. His course teaches students the origins of different types of music and their influences on contemporary musicians. For example, students learn about Bob Dylan's poetic influences, David Bowie's inspiration to dress like a woman and where Elvis Presley got his dance moves. "Nobody creates art out of a vacuum, there are always influences. There is always a starting point," said Costa. The starting point of this course was humble at best. In 1998, when Costa first taught History of Rock and Roll only six students enrolled. This semester there are four sections offered and more than 600 students enrolled. "Students find out that the course is difficult but they still sign up. I hope that means I'm doing something right," said Costa. Students appreciate Costa's method of teaching. Senior Jason Morrow said the course helped open him up to new ideas and gave him a greater appreciation for different genres of music. Morrow said, "I used to hear the Rolling Stones on the radio, and think, 'They're just a bunch of old guys,' and change the station. Now that I know where they're coming from and I don't dislike them as much." Freshman Emily Hutchings said, "I like how he always points out ways to be creative. [The course] is about more than just music. Costa is all about doing something new. When I walk out of the class I feel like I need to go write a song or something." Costa believes that certain principles of creativity can be learned from rock and roll regardless of a student's field of study. During lectures, Costa frequently waves his finger in the air and comments, "and that, ladies and gentlemen, is another way to be original." Here are a few examples that Costa shares with his students to encourage original thought and action: Risk taking: Costa attributes the Beatles' most creative work to willingness to take a risk. With their album "Revolver" they made a drastic turn in their musical direction. Costa believes that risk-taking can "spearhead an original style that may take a mainstream audience decades to appreciate and understand." He also shares personal experiences of risks he has taken as a composer. Though failure is always a possibility, he teaches that the true test of character is how one deals with setbacks. Streamlining: It's not always necessary to come up with an original idea. Oftentimes, an idea simply needs to be made more "user-friendly." Costa uses Alice Cooper as an example. "Alice Cooper took a harsh, noisy Detroit hard-edged sound and made it more palatable - smoothing it out a bit with pop melodic hooks in order to appeal to a wider audience." Costa has streamlined the course material to make it fit for a classroom setting. "By law," Costa says, "I can pretty much say what I want" about rock's raucous past, but he tries to only give details that will enhance students' understanding of the subject. Limitations: "Limitations can often breed originality," says Costa. For example, Black Sabbath tried to keep up with amazing blues players like Eric Clapton. Lacking the technical skills, they simplified the blues and created something new -Heavy Metal. Students in Costa's class don't rely on a textbook and in-class lectures alone, they listen to the music they are studying and watch films about the artists. Costa says, "It's one thing to read about these artists, but it's quite another to see them doing their thing." Costa has created a learning environment that promotes a meta-analysis of creative influences. By discussing the challenges of risk-taking, streamlining and embracing limitations Costa encourages students to think about how they can innovate. Costa's goal as a professor is to "plant a seed" of understanding. He feels that if students are willing to open their minds and learn something new right now it will enable them to understand and accept new ideas in the future. |