Critical Essay

Spring 2021 Cri,cal Essay Prompt

Throughout this semester, we have discussed the shi3 in Black consciousness on the African con:nent, in the Caribbean, and in the USA. As evidenced in the ‘New Negro Movement’ of the early 1900s (Harlem Renaissance, Negrismo, Négritude, Teatro Experimental do Negro), this shi3 in Black thought was predominantly expressed through ar:s:c crea:on in the literary, theatre, and musical arts. In your cri:cal essay, you will explore the connec:on between music and social jus:ce.

Throughout the African diaspora, music has both been a reflec,on of social and poli,cal injus,ce and the precipita,on of its change. You are tasked with discussing one African diasporic social/poli,cal movements from the list below and the music related with that movement.

Op,ons: Black Power Movement, Harlem Renaissance, Pan Africanism, African Libera,on Movements (Ghana, Burkina Faso, or Zimbabwe), An,-Apartheid, Black Feminism/ Womanism.

When beginning your research and in no par:cular order, consider asking yourself the following ques:ons:

1. When and where did this movement take place?— year and loca:on 2. What was this movement about? -goal of the movement 3. Why did this movement take place? - what caused this social/poli:cal group to organize 4. How did this movement happen?- how did they organize, gain trac:on, etc. 5. Who created this movement? 6. What events were significant and/or successful? 7. What was the popular genre of music at the :me? 8. What was music’s role in this movement?- how did it aid or complement the movement’s

goals 9. Who is the composer? - brief biographical informa:on that connects to song to the

movement 10. What event(s) preceded this musical composi:on? 11. How do the lyrics reflect the goals or issues of the movement? 12. Was this song/composi:on a new musical genre or con:nua:on/innova:on of an exis:ng

one? 13. How was the song received by their respec:ve socie:es?

Essay Requirements:

1. Cover Page (Title of Paper, Student Name, Course Name, Professor’s Name, and Date) 2. Use of at least 5 sources: must include at least 1 source from the assigned readings and

videos, at least 2 from outside sources. 3. 2000 words in length. 4. A clear thesis statement. 5. Use of 5 Key Terms of Engagement (in your syllabus). 6. Essay must be wrifen in MLA format 7. Must be doubled-spaced and 12 font size in Calibri, Cambria, or Times New Roman; 12-

font includes all punctua:on markings as well. 8. 1-inch margins all around

Papers are to be submifed via TurnItIn on Moodle by 11:59pm on April 8, 2021. Late submissions are docked 5 points for every late day (i.e. the highest grade you can receive for a submission at 12am on April 9, 2021 will be a 95; for a submission on April 13th, 2021, a 75 is the highest score). As there will be no excep:ons regarding the late policy (outside of dean approved excuses), I suggest you try to turn in your essay a day or two early to make sure there are no internet challenges.