The music degree at Oxford is really varied and I’ve been able to delve deeper into many different aspects of the subject exploring what music means to different people, how the position of music in society has shifted and changed throughout the years and how it affects a variety of cultures in different ways. We look into the philosophy, psychology and history of music from a variety of time periods and perspectives, as well as covering the practical side of the subject through performance and composition options. I’ve particularly enjoyed reading and discussing the literature on Music and Race from blackface in The Jazz Singer (1927) to Beyoncé’s Super Bowl 50 performance. 
Francesca Amewudah-Rivers, Music 

If you're interested in exploring the history and politics of music and race, Francesca recommends...

Blues Legacies and Black Feminism: Gertrude “Ma” Rainey, Bessie Smith and Billie Holiday (1999) by Angela Davis

An exploration of blues music through a feminist lens looking at the lives and music of Gertrude “Ma” Rainey, Bessie Smith and Billie Holiday. 

The Power of Black Music: Interpreting Its History from Africa to the United States (1996) By Samuel Floyd 

Samuel Floyd discusses how the music of Black America has contributed to all American music, breaking down the cultural, social and political barriers between Western and Non-Western music.  

Songs in Black and Lavender: Race, Sexual Politics, and Women's Music (2010) By Eileen Hayes 

Eileen Hayes draws on fieldwork conducted on eight women’s music festivals to provide an insight into the role of music in facilitating lesbian communities and the intersectionalities within these communities including the emergence of the black feminist consciousness. 

Race Music: Black Cultures from Behop to Hip-Hop (2004) By Guthrie Ramsey

An exploration of black music, black culture and black identity and its global significance from jazz, blues and gospel to hip hop and RnB.

Whether you're interested in playing music, writing it or studying the impact that it has had on people and politics around the world, university courses provide plenty of opportunities to take this further! If you enjoyed this Big Question, you might be interested in studying...

Music
At Oxford, we study music by reading, listening, performing and composing. We create music in all its aspects – acoustic, electronic, individually and communally. Throughout the course, you will be exposed to music of all kinds and in all contexts: Western classical, popular music, musics of other cultures, community music, seeing these musics in terms of their history (and how that history has been shaped over time), social context, and psychology. Find out more on the Music course page

Archaeology and Anthropology
Archaeology and anthropology together encompass the study of humankind from the origins of the human species to the present day. Both subjects involve a range of sophisticated approaches shared with the arts, social sciences and physical sciences. Find out more on the Archaeology and Anthropology course page

Experimental Psychology
Psychology has been defined as the science of mental life and its scope includes a wide variety of issues. It addresses such questions as: how do we perceive colours? How do children acquire language? What predisposes two people to get on with each other? What causes schizophrenia? Psychology at Oxford is a scientific discipline, involving the rigorous formulation and testing of ideas. It works through experiments and systematic observation rather than introspection. Find out more on the Experimental Psychology course page

History and Politics

These are just some ideas, and if you are considering Higher Education you should carefully weigh up your options to choose the course and university that are right for you! You could try further suggested reading and resources.