Essay #3 - Music

Write a 3-4 page essay that provides an analysis of a specific musical genre of your choice.

Select a couple of songs that are categorized under this genre and provide a semiotic analysis of the music and lyrics. If applicable, you also may want to analyze the music video for the song.

Other questions you should consider are as follows:


• Is there a culture attached to the genre?
  
• Are there certain groups of people who have embraced this genre within their culture?
  
• Are there certain artists who are representative of this genre and why?
  

Another way to look at this issue is to discuss this musical genre in terms of the larger culture of “America”. Does the music represent certain values or beliefs of mainstream American culture or does it speak against those values?

• To think critically about the way music reflects or rebels against the values of the American culture.
  
  
• To utilize other writers’ theories to help support and/or to articulate your own opinions and disagreements with those writers.
  
  
• To provide a central thesis statement and to support that thesis statement with evidence from your analysis.

• Must be typed and double-spaced with 1" margins on all sides.
  
  
• Standard 12 pt. font should be used.
  
  
• The paper should include an informative and interesting title (do not use “Essay #3” as the title).
  
  
• Papers must be a minimum of three pages in length (not including the heading, title, or any supporting graphics). Number all pages except for the first one.
  
  
• The paper is due on Thursday, November 7, 2002 in class. The revision (post-peer review workshop) is due on Tuesday, November 11, 2002 in class. If you arrive to class five minutes late on either day, your paper will be considered late.

• Samuels, David. “The Rap on Rap”
  
  
• hooks, bell. “Madonnna: Plantation Mistress or Soul Sister?”
  
  
• Valdes-Rodriguez, Alisa. “Crossing Pop Lines: Attention to Latinos Is Overdue, But Sometimes Off-Target”
  
  
• Kaplan, E. Ann. “Fiona Apple’s Criminal: Video Voyerusim for the ‘90s”