Week 16: Whitney Houston

Whitney Houston, "I Will Always Love You" (US #1, 1992)

Week 16: Whitney Houston
Mo 12.03
Class: Final exam prep; Lecture—“The Mad Dash: Thesis Statements”

We 12.05
Class: Final exam prep; Lecture—“The Mad Dash: Essay Outlines”
Due: REFLECTION 8

Sa 12.08
FINAL EXAM: 8 AM, SCI 142*

Week 17: Bob Dylan
Mo 12.10
Class: Course review

*My four sections will be sharing this lecture hall with four sections belonging to Prof. Mohsenzadegan. That means there will be 200 students taking the exam in the same room, so please get there on time to ensure that you get a seat that works best for you.

Music News: 12.01.12

• Mackelmore bucks hip hop, promotes acceptance of gays (PRI)
• On World AIDS Day, Bono's fight against the disease continues (Time)
• Hugs and kisses: Rihanna and Chris Brown are affectionate on Instagram (New York Daily News)
• iTunes 11 finally arrives (Washington Post)
• Fans: Justin Bieber and Selena Gomez 4EVER (MTV)
• Florida teenager fatally shot over his loud music (Christian Science Monitor)

Reflection 08: Snowed Out—The Inundation of Christmas Music

How much is too much Christmas music?

It used to be that they wouldn't show up until at least the day after Thanksgiving—at the earliest. Any earlier than that and it just seemed too soon for them. But these days, the dust of Halloween has hardly settled before someone, somewhere, eagerly rolls them out. Whenever it is they come, Christmas songs come with a vengeance. And while some people can't wait to revel in holiday cheer, others quickly feel inundated by the near endless stream of Christmas songs. While these songs can be expected at a party or in a church, they can also be heard while on hold on the telephone or in every mall in America. How do you feel about holiday music? Which songs do you like and which do you detest? What is the line between this music celebrating the season and it spoiling the spirit? Finally, if you do not celebrate Christmas, how does holiday music affect you?

Include at least three of the following in your discussion:

• "Centuries-old Christmas Carols Endure" (Tennessean)
• "Science Behind Why We Love, or Hate, Christmas Music" (WDIV)
• "The Ten Most Annoying Christmas Songs" (Gawker)
• "Ten Best Christmas Songs for Atheists" (Alternet)
• "Christmas Songs that Upset Me" (phillyBurbs.com)
• "Five Christmas Songs that Don't Suck" (Nerve)

Requirements:

• Must be in MLA Style
• Must be two full pages in length
• Must include a works cited page

Due: Wednesday, Dec. 5th

 

Week 15: Johnny Cash

Johnny Cash, "Ring of Fire" (US #1, 1963)

Week 15: Johnny Cash
Mo 11.26 Class: COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS

We 11.28 Class: Final exam prep; Lecture—“The Mad Dash: Prompts”

Upcoming:

Week 16: Whitney Houston
Mo 12.03
Class: Final exam prep; Lecture—“The Mad Dash: Thesis Statements”

We 12.05
Class: Final exam prep; Lecture—“The Mad Dash: Essay Outlines”
Due: REFLECTION 8

Sa 12.08
FINAL EXAM: 8 AM, LOCATION TBD

Week 17: Bob Dylan
Mo 12.10
Class: Course review

Music News: 11.24.12

 

• Holiday music has returned (and there's something for everyone) (Zimbio)
• R.E.M. + James Franco + Lindsey Lohan = new music video (Washington Post)
• Relenting: AC/DC finally release catalog on iTunes (USA Today)
• "Gangnam Style" > "Baby": PSY overtakes Justin Bieber as most viewed YouTube clip (Chicago Tribune)
• Lil Wayne to retire, focus his energies on skateboarding (Examiner)
• Survey: Adele's music best to help you fall asleep (Daily Mail)
• 
  

Week 14: Lady Gaga

Lady Gaga ft. Beyoncé, "Telephone" (US #3, 2010)

Week 14: Lady Gaga
Mo 11.19
Read: DURAN—Ton Lōc, “Funky Cold Medina” – Duran Duran, “All She Wants Is”
Class: Reading discussion; Presentations
Due: REFLECTION 7

We 11.21
NO CLASS—THANKSGIVING

Upcoming:

Week 15: Johnny Cash
Mo 11.26 Class: COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS

We 11.28 Class: Final exam prep; Lecture—“The Mad Dash: Prompts”

Week 16: Whitney Houston
Mo 12.03
Class: Final exam prep; Lecture—“The Mad Dash: Thesis Statements”

We 12.05
Class: Final exam prep; Lecture—“The Mad Dash: Essay Outlines”
Due: REFLECTION 8

Sa 12.08
FINAL EXAM: 8 AM, LOCATION TBD

Week 17: Bob Dylan
Mo 12.10
Class: Course review

Music News: 11.17.12

• British X Factor contestant receives encouraging tweet from Adele about accepting her own body (Daily Mail)
• Inside the brain of a rapper (NPR)
• Madonna visits Sandy-damaged Queens neighborhood (Gothamist)
• ...then goes Gangnam Style with the help of PSY (Entertainment Weekly)
• Pennies: How music streaming services compensates artists (Pitchfork)
• Jealous One Direction fans bully Czech supermodel (Daily Telegraph)