ASSIGNMENTS

ASSIGNMENTS

Essay One Essay Two Essay Three Essay Four

Essay One:      Multiple Meanings of 'Strange Fruit'
Page Length:    3-5 typed pages, double spaced, 1 inch margins, 12pt Times font
Draft Due:      9:00 am, Wednesday, July 9, 2003, IN CLASS
Final Version Due:    12 noon, Friday, July 11, 2003, IN PROF'S OFFICE

Consider the many metaphorical implications and multiple meanings of the term "Strange Fruit" which have appeared in the texts, lectures and discussions this week. For example, in the song "strange fruit" are the corpses of black men, the results of extrajudicial racist violence. However, "strange fruit" could also be an epithet used to describe gay men or other marginalized persons.. In a 3-5 page paper discuss the similarities, differences and/or connections between these and other meanings derived from "strange fruit."

You should include examples which draw upon the texts, lectures or concepts of all three professor and are encouraged to go beyond the examples offered in this prompt.

Be sure to:
        proofread your final submission
        use themes and terms generated in the readings,
        cite appropriately, and
        defend your statements

Essay Two:    The Social Construction of Race in South Africa
Page Length:    3-5 typed pages, double spaced, 1 inch margins, 12 point Times font
Draft Due:      9:00 am, Wednesday, July 16, 2003, IN CLASS
Final Paper Due:         9:00am, Monday, July 21, 2003 IN CLASS

In "The Social Construction of Race," Haney-Lopez examines the fluidity of
racial boundaries and the process of racial fabrication. Though he
constructs his argument using the case of the United States, much of his
analysis could apply to similar processes in South Africa. In a 3-5 page
paper analyze the social construction of race in South Africa. What role did
the state and the law play in this process? What role did resistance
movements play?

Be sure to:
        state a thesis clearly,
        use themes and terms generated from multiple readings/sources,
        cite appropriately, and
        defend your statements

Essay Three:   'Here' and 'Home' in Corridos
Page Length:    3-5 typed pages, double spaced, 1 inch margins, 12 point Times font
Draft Due:      9:00 am, Wednesday, July 23, 2003, IN CLASS
Final Paper Due:        NOON, Friday, July 25, 2003 IN PROFESSOR'S OFFICES

In his chapter, “ ‘Singing Brings Joy to the Distressed’: The Early Social History of Zulu Migrant Workers’ Choral Music,” Veit Erlmann asserts the importance of the recurrent and simultaneous themes of “here” and “home” in isicathamiya songs (157-8). His argument engages numerous concepts including duality, contradiction, oscillation, and multiplicity. How might his argument apply to corridos? In answering this question you must refer to actual corrido lyrics, broad and repeated subject matter of the musical form, and the context that gives rise to them.

Your essay should include examples which draw upon the texts, lectures or concepts of all three professors. Additionally, you must include evidence and analysis drawn from the field trip to the Day Laborer's Center.

Be sure to:
        state a thesis clearly,
        proofread your final submissions,
        use themes and terms generated from multiple readings/sources,
        cite appropriately, and
        defend your statements

Essay Four:    Rapping about rap
Page Length:    3-5 typed pages, double spaced, 1 inch margins, 12 point Times font
Draft Due:      9:00 am, Wednesday, July 30, 2003, IN CLASS
Final Paper Due:         Noon, Friday August 1, 2003 IN CLASS

Dr. Tricia Rose’s chapter, “Voices from the Margins” delves into the dichotomy that is rap. On one hand, rap can be a “an educational tool and a true representation of life in the ghettos of urban America.” On the other hand, this genre exemplifies, whether rightly or wrongly, an ugly side that depicts violence, misogyny and a throwback to black nationalism. Rose poses other important questions such as, “Can violent images incite violent action, can music set the stage for political mobilization, do sexually explicit lyrics contribute to the moral ‘breakdown’ of society, and is this really music anyway?” The corollary to these questions is: "How/Can/Should rap and hip-hop be regulated by society?" Using our class lectures and discussions, assigned readings, outside sources, and your own experience as background, construct a thesis which answers one of the above questions.