Assignments
Due: Tuesday, 1/29/2002
Points: 50
Select two songs* and provide a copy of the lyrics. Identify the oral
tradition(s) as described in Unit 2,
explaining its use and critique the meaning of the lyrics. A good source
for lyrics is http://www.ohhla.com
Be concise and stick to your point. You must discuss both songs in one page.
10 pts for lyrics critique
5pts to identify the oral tradition
10 pts to explain
25pts for each lyric assignment
*DO NOT use examples from the website, included in the readings, or
discussed in class.
Due: Tuesday, 2/26/2002
Points: 50 points
Write compare and contrast essay, based on ONE of the following
pairs of articles:
1. Green, Tony, "The Dirty South" in VIBE pp. 265-275 and Gates,
Henry Louis, "2 Live Crew,
Decoded" and Crenshaw, Kimberle & Henry
Louis Gates, "Beyond Racism and Misogyny " (5 pages)
on reserve at the Main Library and on electronic
reserve at:
http://129.79.35.24/coursepage.asp?cid=77&page=01; the password
is "hiphop".
2. Kelley, Robin D.G., "Kickin' Reality, Kickin' Ballistics: Gangsta
Rap and Postindustrial Los Angeles"
in Droppin' Science pp. 117-158 and Alvarez,
Gabriel, "Gangsta Rap in the'90s" in VIBE pp. 285-295;
Marriott, Robert "Gangsta, Gangsta: The Sad, Violent
Parable of Death Row Records" in
VIBE pp. 319-325.
3. Allen Jr., Ernest, "Making the Strong Survive: The Contours and Contradictions
of Message Rap" in
Droppin' Science pp. 159-191 and Aaron, Charles,
"KRS-One" in VIBE pp. 145-151; Light, Alan,
"Public Enemy" in VIBE pp.165-169; 172-175.
Guidelines for writing your essay:
Connect the reading directly to the question you are addressing.
Provide specific examples from the
reading to support your argument. Analyze the reading with the essay
question in mind.
Issues to address in writing a critique:
* Is the essay analytic or descriptive? Explain.
* Is there a clearly defined argument? If so, what is it? How do the
authors effectively / clearly support
such arguments in the essay? Explain.
* Did the authors use illustrative examples to support the argument?
If so what were they?
* Did the authors clearly and convincingly develop the major ideas?
How?
* On what points do you agree with the authors?
* What conclusions did the author draw? Are they valid? Why or why
not?
* Did the authors reference sources?
Format Guidelines:
* 1.5-2 typed, double-spaced pages in length, 12 font
* 1" margin on all sides of each page
* Cover page with your name, course #, professor, and titles of articles
you use
* Stapled or securely clipped
* Introductory paragraph with a clear thesis statement. The introductory
paragraph must map out the
topics to be addressed in the body of the essay.
* Are the readings balanced in YOUR essay (all of the required readings
are addressed, utilizing
approximately the same amount of space for each reading)?
* Does the essay demonstrate a solid analysis of the texts?
* Grammar / Editing
* When a text is quoted, you must cite the page number parenthetically.
* A concluding paragraph restates the argument, and final conclusions
are drawn.
* Does your essay follow the format?
Due: Thursday, 3/7/2002
Points: 50 points
The purpose of this assignment is to trace the
treatment of social issues in hip hop. To be social, the
issue must affect people on a national scale;
to be an issue, it must be controversial, in public debate.
Choose one of the following rap movements: gangsta,
afrocentric, nation-conscious, Five-percent nation,
feminism or another recent movement and identify
the specific ideology that is embodied in it. Also specify
the visual characteristics that hip hop artists
of your chosen movement use to embody their philosophical/ ideological
ideas. Cite a specific example from music, video or photograph (please
attach source) to illustrate
your movement's philosophy and visual characteristics.
Be specific! Ensure that you not only address these
issues, but that you structure your paper clearly
and logically.
Guidelines for writing your essay:
1. Begin with an introductory paragraph with
a clear argument or thesis statement. The introductory
paragraph must outline the
topics to be addressed in the body of the essay.
2. Connect the reading directly to the question
you are addressing. Provide specific examples from the
reading to support your argument.
3. Analyze the reading with the essay question
in mind by critiquing the validity of the author's main points
with which you agree or disagree,
explaining why.
4. A concluding paragraph restates the argument,
and final conclusions are drawn.
Format Guidelines:
* 1.5-2 typed, double-spaced pages in length,
12 font
* 1" margin on all sides of each page
* Cover page with your name, course #, professor,
and the titles of articles you use.
* Stapled or securely clipped
* Insert page numbers on the lower right-hand
corner
* When a text is quoted, you must cite the page
number parenthetically.
Your essay will be graded on the following
basis:
* Does the essay reflect analysis rather than
description?
* Is there a clear argument? Is it effectively
/ clearly supported in the essay?
* Were all of the readings referenced, as required?
* Are the readings balanced (all of the required
readings are addressed, utilizing approximately the same
amount of space for each reading)?
* Does the essay demonstrate a solid analysis
of the texts?
* Grammar / Editing
* Does your essay follow the format described
above?