Unit 4 Assignment: Musicals and American Culture

Due Date: 11:59 p.m. EST, Thursday, November 14th, 2019 Points: 100

Overview:

For this assignment, you will examine American Musicals and the different ways music can be perceived as either a window or a mirror of American society and culture. When music acts as a window to society and culture, we might see events and situations in a new light—music might be acting as a way for us to better understand differences in society that we might not understand without it. When music acts as a mirror, it reflects who we are and can help us see ourselves more authentically.

Instructions:

For this assignment, you will discuss any American Musical of your choice - you can use the examples provided in the Unit, or perhaps you have a favorite that was turned into a movie!

• Discuss why you think this particular musical became popular when it did. Did the themes in the musical match happenings in American culture at that time? Explain.

• Identify a popular showtune from the musical. Discuss how this chosen showtune is either a mirror or a window to something about American society and culture. Offer evidence to support your beliefs and assertions.

• Include the title of the showtune, when it was written, the composer(s), and the performing musician(s).

• Include a YouTube video link of the showtune.

Requirements:

• All works should be written in proper APA format.

• Your paper should be 2-3 pages with additional cover and reference pages.

• Use at least two (2) scholarly references to support your work. You may use your textbook as a resource, however, the YouTube video to your showtune does not count towards these sources.

Be sure to read the criteria by which your work will be evaluated before you write and again after you write.

MUS320 – American Music

Unit 4 Assignment: Musicals and American Culture

Evaluation Rubric for Musicals and American Culture Assignment

CRITERIA Deficient Development Needed Proficient Exemplary

0 - 35 points 36 - 47 points 48 - 53 points 54 - 60 points

Content Subject matter is minimally addressed. Opinions are offered, but arguments lack scholarly backing.

Subject matter is adequately addressed. Arguments are partially supported by scholarly research.

Subject matter is fairly well addressed. Arguments are supported by scholarly research but could be further elaborated with specific details.

Subject matter is thoroughly addressed. Arguments are well elaborated and fully supported by scholarly research and specific examples.

0 - 11 points 12 - 15 points 16 - 17 points 18 - 20 points

Structure and Flow

Flow is poor. Paragraphing is inappropriate. Transitions are minimal or absent. Significant redundancy is evident.

Flow is adequate. Paragraphs may be too long or too short. Transitions are minimal, and redundancy is evident.

Flow is good. Paragraphing is mostly appropriate. Transitions are present, and redundancies are minimal.

Flow is excellent. Paragraphing is clear, and transitions are smooth and consistent. Inappropriate redundancies are absent.

0 - 5 points 6 - 7 points 8 points 9 - 10 points

Scholarly Sources

Scholarly sources are not used in the assignment.

Less than the required amount of scholarly sources are included and may not be well represented within the assignment.

Required amount of scholarly sources are included, but content discussion is not well represented within the assignment.

Required amount of scholarly sources are included. Scholarly source content is well represented within the assignment.

0 - 5 points 6 - 7 points 8 points 9 - 10 points

Clear and Professional Writing and APA Format

Errors impede professional presentation; writing and formatting guidelines are not followed.

Numerous errors exist that interfere with a professional presentation.

Writing and formatting guidelines are being followed but have a few errors that do not impede professional presentation.

Writing and formatting guidelines are being followed and are clear, professional, APA compliant, and error-free.