Research Paper and Presentation

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

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.