What is a music video? How do we know if a music video is good? Are music videos art or commerce? What can we learn from them? This course will challenge you to engage with U.S. commercial music videos stretching from the 1970s into the 21st century. We will approach music videos as both aesthetic objects and as aesthetic experiences. Each class period will present you with a music video case study that reflects an established industry style, and together we will analyze their design, and interpret their messages. Our exploration of the music video industry will overlap with broader discussions about artistic expression, representation, and taste. At the conclusion of the class, you will work in small groups to develop your own music video for a commercial song in the vein of one of our case studies, and then explain your music video to the class.