There are four assignments in the course, from which I will derive a student's final mark, and several minor tasks to complete, which are requirements to earn the credit, but for which there are no grades assigned. I will provide marking rubrics and exemplars for each of the major assignments. There is no final exam for this course

Major Assignments (in brief)

1. Initial Song Review (no marks)
   Post a link to your favourite song on YouTube. Post a one or two paragraph explaining why it's your favourite. This is not a “formal” assignment, so no title page or references are required. There are no marks for this assignment, but it is a requirement for your credit.
   
2. Part 1: Describing popular music charts (25%)
   Select a chart from a major popular music magazine. Search on-line to identify all of the performers listed on the charts (soloists & bands). Identification includes: names; musical responsibilities (e.g. lead singer, drummer, MC, etc.), gender; sexual orientation; ethnicity/race; nationality; and anything else you think we need to know to get a “picture” of the musicians on your chart. Construct a spreadsheet to display your information, which should include descriptive stats on who does what (e.g. x performers on chart; y% are exclusively singers; z% are women; aa% are women who play instruments; etc.). (spreadsheet)
   
3. Part 2: Analysing pop music charts (25%)
   Report on one or two of the acts from your assignment # 1 music chart (soloists or whole bands). Explain how these performers fit into their socio-historical musical context, OR, explain an absence in your chart. (4-5 pages)
4. Book review (25%)

Choose a book from the book review list.Tell us if it’s a book that’s worth your classmates’ valuable time to read.  Your review should include a summary of the book, which will probably note several highlights. The remainder of the review should address questions or issues such as, but not limited to, the following: Did you enjoy this book? Is it well written? Does it sound accurate/believable? (Is it credible?) Did the book inspire you to seek out the artists’ material? Did that material sound and/or look as you expected? What the author’s intention? Does the book tell a limited or very focused story, or does the author offer a sense of the subject’s socio-historical context? What do you expect will happen next to the book’s subject? Should other people read this book? The strongest reviews will explain the writer’s reactions, i.e. do not simply write what you thought about the book; always explain why. Remember: you are reviewing the book, NOT the artist. (4-5 pages)


Books available to review (available at Queen’s Campus Bookstore):

Ahmad, S. (2010). Rock & roll Jihad: A Muslim rock star's revolution. New York: Free Press.
Bidini, D. (1998).On a cold road. Toronto: McClelland & Stewart.
Des Barres, P. (2008).Let's spend the night together: Backstage secrets of rock muses and supergroupies. Chicago: Chicago Review Press.
Dixon, W, & Snowden, D. (1989). I am the blues: The Willie Dixon story. U.S.A.: Da Capo.
Motley Crue. (2002). The dirt: Confessions of the world's most notorious rock band. New York: Harper Collins.
O’Brien, J. (2007). Like an icon. New York: Harper Entertainment
Pope, C. (2001). Anti diva. Toronto: Vintage Canada.


5. Song review (25%)

Choose a “pop” song. Tell me if it’s a song that’s worth our attention. Your review should address four key ideas: 1. Is the song worth our attention? (and maybe, Do I like it?) 2. What musical elements are critical to the song’s impact? 3. Put the song into its socio-historical context. 4. Why might someone else feel differently than you do about the song? (4-5 pages)

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More information:

• Computer Requirements and Internet Access
• Moodle, Our Online Learning Environment 
• Academic Integrity
• Evaluation
• Suggested Time Commitment
• Required Material