This course examines the role of music in modern societies, with a particular focus on how music can be a force for promoting consciousness-raising and social justice in the United States and globally. We study ways in which intersecting inequalities are manifested in musical genres such as rock and roll, punk rock, reggae, and other forms of music. During the semester, each student will write a research paper and give a class presentation on a case study of how music is fostering social change. Key learning outcomes include: strengthening the understanding of relevant social science theories; developing skills in writing research papers; and strengthening public presentation skills.