Discussion Post A
Respond Briefly to each of the following:
• How do you define music? How do you define politics?
• How do you define a social movement? What is social solidarity?
• What role does music play in your life?
• What might be other ways that music functions for individuals and social groups?
• What social and/or political issue(s) is (are) most important to you right now? Why? Are there songs that relate to this? If so, name at least one.
• What music do you listen to (i.e., songs, artists, genres)? Does it have political messages? If so, do those messages relate to larger social movements?
Discussion Post B
What is the history of the song ‘Amazing Grace'? Who wrote it? When? Why? Give 3 examples of the ways in which this song has been adopted, adapted, and used since its original creation. How do the ‘cover' versions retain the original meaning of the song, and how do they extend it? Cite at least 2 secondary sources. 700 word minimum.
Homework:
Respond to each of the following prompts. Word count should be at least 750 words total. Include a works cited page. You must incorporate/cite the Dunaway reading. Submissions that do not cite it will receive a ZERO, but may be resubmitted for a capped grade of up to 70%.
• Dunaway reading: How does he define ‘political music'? Do you agree? Why, or why not? What are the 3 characteristics of political songs as artefacts?
• What are some presidential campaign songs in American history? Name at least 2 from the early 20th century. Going beyond the reading, doing individual research, identify at least one popular song that was used during a 21st century U.S. presidential campaign. How was it used? What was the artist's reaction to its use in this way?
• Choose a contemporary popular song that you believe is political in some way. What type(s) of song do you think it is (according to Dunaway's types, see page 286)? What function(s) does the song serve (according to Dunaway's model, see page 286-7)? Cite excerpts of the song's lyrics to support your answers. Discuss the song in terms of: mood, genre, instrumentation, voice/speaker, poetics (metaphors, slang, double meanings, etc.), imagery, historical context, & themes.
Format your homework according to the give formatting requirements:
• The answer must be using Times New Roman font (size 12), double spaced, typed, with one-inch margins on all sides.
• The response also includes a cover page containing the student's name, the title of the homework, the course title, and the date. The cover page is not included in the required page length.
• Also include a reference page. The references and Citations should follow APA format. The reference page is not included in the required page length.