The Skatalites were ahead of their time in more ways than one when they made UNIVERSITY GOES SKA back in the early sixties. Because 35 years later the University of Vermont now offers a course entitled The Rhetoric Of Reggae Music. 290 students are currently enrolled and you can visit its site at: http://debate.uvm.edu/rhetreggae.html
The Rhetoric Of Reggae Music aims "to examine the origins,
characteristics, social phenomena and messages to be found in
an African-Caribbean musical form known as reggae music."
This is an austere site, protective of its academic credentials,
and largely text-based. It has no rippling red, green and gold
flags or flexing dance hall queens although there are some nice
images of His Imperial Majesty, Would be students are advised
that "This course represents a very serious and scholarly
examination of this material. Students who are interested in an
easy three credits would best look elsewhere." Clearly Mikey
Campbell had just such a course in mind when he made PROPER EDUCATION.
Students are "encouraged to buy or acquire reggae music for
listening and study." There is also a list of required reading.
And be warned: "Students should be aware of the University
policies on academic honesty. Students who miss essay deadlines
should beware Jah lightning and thunder." I made that last
sentence up, but you get the idea.
The course is offered by Professor Alfred C. "Tuna"
Snider. Might this be the self same Tuna who produced Dillinger's
TAMBRIN SEASON on the Tuna label in 1978? Sorry, my mistake. Dillinger
produced the record himself so it looks like I'm on the Dean's
List. Students must write a 15-20 page paper on a reggae-related
topic. Furthermore, "This typewritten document assumes basic
literacy", a topic previously touched upon in Dennis Brown's
HE CAN'T SPELL.
A selection of students' essays is available on-site in the Dread Library and much here is original and of genuine interest. Rebecca Eschert's The Youth, Black Faith and the Bobo Dreads is a study of Rastafarianism's origins and later doctrinal diversities. This is of particular interest given current public espousal of the Bobo Dreads by Sizzla and others. Edward Bardfield's The Falashas is a study of the Ethiopian Jews who were airlifted to Israel in 1991. Like Jamaica's Rastafarians they see themselves as descendants of one of the Twelve Tribes of Israel.
The class will be offered again in the Spring of 2000, so don't
delay, enrol today. You can check out the preliminary class schedule
now. This is a site which accords reggae music the respect and
seriousness it deserves. Desi Roots had something less elevated
on his mind when he made SCHOOL TONIGHT, but it does enable me
to bring this review to a close with yet another record title.