The opening class focused on an extended example of the Christmas Canon. Christmas as such is not a part of the formal curriculum (or is it?) And yet, it is one of the very few days in the Canadian year in which everything is closed down. The only other such day is New Year's Day. All others seem to be susceptible to political and commercial influence.
So what is special about Christmas? Is there a canon a "representative works" in music that exists. What is the "story" underlying that canon.
This demonstration illustrates that there are in fact many "stories", many legends, many songs, many practices. Christmas becomes a postmodern phenomenon that transcends any initial canonical discussion. Issues of audience, power, and genealogy are all part of the discussion.
Ultimately, this is a metaphor for curriculum itself as we move beyond a specific story into the broad world of education, curriculum and society.
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Day One also introduced the course outline and set the stage for what is to follow.
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