Assignment:
This paper will examineissues that have been explored musically. These are the songs you may choose from for the assignment.
Wealth Inequality:
"Working Class Hero" by John Lennon
"Money" by Pink Floyd
Death Penalty:
"Faye Tucker" by Indigo Girls
"25 Minutes to Go" by Johnny Cash
War:
"Rich Man's War" by Steve Earl
"American Soldier" by Toby Keith
Format of the Paper
Choose one set of songs for your paper. Each deals with a different topic , though from somewhat different perspectives.
The discussion for each song should include the following (in this order):
1. Identify the song, artist, and year of recording
2. Provide a brief biography of the artist that includes a discussion of who they are (nationality, race, gender and other relevant demographics), the genre of music they primarily perform (i.e., rock, pop, soul...), whether they are/were politically active and, if so, how and what issues are primarily of interest to them.
3. Identify what the song is about (through a brief discussion of the lyrics) and what aspect of the political issueseach song raises.
The words limit for this section is 1000 words.
BELOW IS THE MOST IMPORTANT PART OF THE PAPER AND THESE QUESTIONS SHOULD BE WHAT YOU SPEND THE MOST TIME AND WORDS ON.
4. Identify the past and current debates on the identified issue (what are the different political positions surrounding the issue? is the debate around a general ideological divide and, if so, what is that divide? what position do the artists take on the issue?)
5. Discuss your position on the issue, using facts, not opinions, to support your position. Discuss whether the your research reinforced or changed your position on the issue and in what way.
6. Discuss what it was about the research that reinforced or changed your position.
Total word limit is 2500.
You may use internet to learn more about the songs and artists, but you are required to find scholarly resources (books or journal articles) for the discussion of the issues. You may locate those sources using the online databases on the USM Library website, but they must be scholarly books or journals. You may not use websites as your sources. Sources should be referenced in the text (in text citation) using APSA Style Manual (available on Canvas) and a reference page. References should include a URL for internet sources dealing with the music (including the date you accessed the site) or a citation for any books, journals or other printed source that you use to assist in writing your paper. Citations must include author, title of book or article (including name of journal, magazine, newspaper), date of publication and publisher.
Papers should include a cover page that includes the name of the paper, your name and the course information. You should use Times New Roman 12 font (the one this paragraph is formatted in), margins should be 1" all around, double space the text (though long quotes should be single-space/indented), page numbers go in the top right corner, and you should NOT use running heads with your name on them.
Your paper should include an introduction, the body of the paper, and a conclusion. You should use headings and subheadings to divide the paper. Follow the APSA Style Manual for headings and subheadings.