Programs and Areas
First Year Writing Program
Teaching Resources: Group Projects
"Reading" Music
submitted by Alice Duncanson[Note to instructor: this is a group project prompt that worked really well in my class. The students liked it a lot, and it gave international students an opportunity to share some of their culture with the class. I did this project when I was using the reader The World is a Text, but in the absence of this text a handout could easily be put together detailing the criteria necessary for evaluation of the songs.]
In groups of four, you will be creating a mixed CD containing at least eight songs (the logic being that in a group of four, each person will select at least two songs). These songs must be united under a common theme, but that theme may be broad in scope (Songs for a Rainy Day, Love Songs, etc.). I only ask that your theme not be a time period (80s Music) or a genre (The Blues). Songs of all genres are encouraged—feel free to include rockabilly, emo, and hip-hop on the same CD. Songs do not have to have lyrics, and lyrics may be in languages other than English. Songs may be from recent months and years ("Hey Ya!" from Outkast) or from the past ("All Along the Watchtower" from Jimmy Hendrix).
Your CD should have a title (preferably attention-getting and fun), and cover art. The cover art can be either original artwork or collage—whatever you want to do. All the songs and artists should be listed on the inside of the cover, in the order which they are arranged on the CD.
Along with the CD you produce, your group will also turn in a typed, double-spaced analysis of each song on the CD, using the "Beyond This Text" guidelines from pages 640-641 of The World Is a Text. There is no length requirement, but your analysis must be thorough and informative. Prompt us to think about the songs in a new way; demonstrate that you have done a close reading of this music. Work together—four heads are better than one!
During your in-class presentation, you will play portions of the songs and share your analysis with the class. Each group member must have a speaking role. Be creative. The best presentations will share detailed analyses of the songs with the class, demonstrating that you have really engaged the content of the songs. Show us that you have been more than a casual listener.
Fifty percent of your grade will be based upon the group’s performance as a whole, and fifty percent will be based upon your individual work. The cumulative grade you receive makes up ten percent of your total grade in this class.
In no way will you be graded on your musical taste. In fact, sometimes the "worst" songs make for the best critiques.
Please let me know immediately if you lack access to CD burning technology.
Have an idea for Tried and True? Send it to fywp@osu.edu!
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