The initial reply for our fourth and final discussion assignment is be due by Monday, August 15 at 11:59 PM. To begin, click on the link below. The class is divided into 4 discussion groups that have been randomly created; you will automatically be taken to your group. Click on the post from me (which will be at the top), and then click on the Reply button. DO NOT CLICK ON THE "ADD A NEW DISCUSSION TOPIC" BUTTON. Your response should be about 400-500 words in length, but you may certainly write more!
You will be comparing and contrasting three songs:
Ani DiFranco: Not A Pretty Girl- "http://us.napster.com//artist/ani-difranco/album/not-a-pretty-girl/track/not-a-pretty-girl?from=rhapsody"
Lauren Hill: Doo Wop (That Thing)-"http://us.napster.com//artist/lauryn-hill/album/the-miseducation-of-lauryn-hill/track/doo-wop-that-thing?from=rhapsody"
k.d. Lang: Nowhere To Stand- "http://us.napster.com//artist/kd-lang/album/reintarnation/track/nowhere-to-stand--remixed-version?from=rhapsody"
Make sure to answer each question, and give some depth and detail in your responses; you will be graded on how well and how thoroughly you respond to the questions. When you are finished, click on the Post to forum button. You will have 30 minutes in which to edit your post if you wish.
The second part of the assignment is to read some of your fellow students' initial posts and reply substantively to one of them. (Wait until after Monday, August 15 to do this part of the assignment in order to see all of the initial posts). The substantive reply is due by Friday, August 19 at 11:59 PM.
Make sure to answer each question in your initial response, and give some depth and detail in your responses; you will be graded on how well and how thoroughly you respond to the questions. Your initial response should be a minimum of 400 words. When you are finished click on the Post to forum button, you will have 30 minutes in which to edit your post if you wish. The initial reply is due by Monday, August 15 at 11:59 PM.
The assignment is not complete until you have posted a substantive reply to another student's initial response. (Wait until after Monday, August 15 to do this part of the assignment in order to see all of the initial posts). The substantive reply is due by Friday, August 19 at 11:59 PM.
Discussion Questions for Alternative Folk, Hip-Hop, and Country:
"Not a Pretty Girl": written and recorded by Ani DiFranco, 1995
"Doo Wop (That Thing)": written and recorded by Lauryn Hill, 1998
"Nowhere to Stand": written and recorded by k.d. lang and the Reclines, 1989
These three singers have all been referred to as alternative artists in their respective genres. In each case, explain why you agree or disagree with this statement and give reasons.
Describe the important social issue raised in each of these songs, and the writer's position on that issue.
Do you believe that social commentary is important in popular music, or that popular music's main function should be entertainment? Why?
Which of the three songs most effectively makes it's point?
Which of these three artists would you be most likely to listen to more of?