Research Paper Due on Rap Music and Power Point Presentation Playlist

UE Project Guidelines and Suggestions

• 5 page, double spaced paper on a specific topic relating to American popular music.

• Research paper topic, outline, + 3 possible sources

DUE Module 2 ( in assignment folder ) • Completed research paper

DUE Module 7 ( in assignment folder )

Topical Examples

• Social commentary in American Musicals

• Rock and Roll and gender identity

• Rock and Roll and Sexual Power as seen in the

music of Madonna and Janis Joplin

• The effect of commercialism on Hip Hop music

• Country meets Rock and Roll – urban country

music of the ‘90’s

Genre Examples

• • Modern Crooners

• • Progressive Country

• • Electronica

• • East Coast Hip Hop from 1980-1990

• • West Coast Hip Hop of the '90's

• • West Coast Folk Rock

• • Chicago Blues

• • Smooth jazz of the 1990’s

2. Group Presentation

• Do a 20 minute presentation on a general topic

“umbrella” such as ➢Rock and Roll

➢Hip Hop

➢EDM/Electronica

➢Musical Theatre

➢Blues/Jazz

➢Country Music

Purpose

• [To Persuade your Reading Audience of

a Convincing Position] Using the UE

guidelines, establish why you chose the

genre or style of music that you are

describing, and what it represents in

our culture.

Perspective

• Your thesis statement should IMPLY a guiding research question, e.g. Are the extreme examples of sexual and violent lyrics in later Hip Hop music a result of the commercialization of the genre, or an authentic expression of the composer/performers’ experience?

Evidence Because we are focusing on analysis and critique,

these written assignments rely primarily on

information provided by you. However,

information that is obtained from outside

sources should be cited appropriately using MLA

or APA style. Use scholarly articles – not

information that cannot be verified.

Analysis After analyzing the cultural context, what

conclusions can be drawn? Generally speaking,

your paper should not promote a neutral stance,

e.g. Madonna’s

music represents a

reversal of the

cultural norm in the

role of women in

American society in

the following ways…

Decision Making

In this assignment, your ultimate “decision” (drawn ideally from conventional critical thinking techniques and the SLU core values) is represented as a thesis/position statement in your introduction and conclusion, e.g. “Death Metal music gives America’s youth an appropriate/or inappropriate outlet for violent emotions in a relatively controlled

atmosphere (that of the concert venue), and as such provides a harmless (or harmful) cathartic experience for the fans/audience.

SLU Core Values The SLU Core Values are PRICER: Personal

Development, Responsible Stewardship,

Integrity, Community, Excellence, and Respect.

Be sure to specifically

relate your purpose and

decision to these

standards.

• Use good grammar and

organize the paper in a

logical and consistent way.

•PROOF READ!

Concluding Thoughts…

• How does the repertoire you’ve chosen relate

to issues of race, class, gender, sexuality, or

other definers of identity? Bear in mind that

while lyrics and performance are important,

you must address musical issues as well.