COURSE OBJECTIVES: The objective of this course is to introduce students to the history of Rembetiko, its association with Smyrneika songs, its phases and to make them conceptualize the conflict of aspects among intellectuals about Rembetiko. Through this course students will acquire an understanding of the influence of the historic facts on the development and the topics with which the Rembetika songs deal. Students will be able to understand that the Rembetika songs do not belong to the fringe of the society but they are the popular (because it derives from the people) urban songs whose composers were deeply influenced by the historical events of their era and transformed them into songs that expressed the soul of common people.