The following was taken directly from the course syllabus:

Final research paper

8-10 page paper- minimum 5 printed sources and 1 audio source. Include music analysis and don’t abuse internet sources- go to the library! More guidelines to follow.

Assigned topic- Connect Black American Music to the recent                                    Black Lives Matter Movement.

What are the connections between the two?

You may want to consider integrating any of these areas into your paper:

Women and Race in America

Slave Songs and Spirituals                                                         Ralph Ellison

Ring Shout, Field Hollars and Work Songs                                Blacks in cinema and theatre

Black classical composers                                                          Aretha Franklin

Woman blues singers                                                                  Mahalia Jackson

Thomas A Dorsey- Gospel music                                               Robert Johnson

The blues evolution                                                                     W.C. Handy

Tupac Shakur                                                                              Dinah Washington

Stax Records                                                                               Motown Records

John Coltrane                                                                              Miles Davis

Bessie Smith                                                                                Sister Rosetta Tharpe

Duke Ellington                                                                            Muddy Waters

Beale Street- Memphis                                                                Chicago Blues

John Lee Hooker                                                                         Louis Armstrong

Billie Holiday                                                                              Mary Lou Williams

New Orleans Rhythm and Blues, Jazz                                        Little Richard   

William Grant Still                                                                      Otis Redding

Soul Music                                                                                  James Brown                    

Race Records                                                                               Howlin’ Wolf

Delta Blues                                                                                  Fisk Jubilee Singers

Black literature and music                                            History of black dance

Scott Joplin                                                                                  Bessie Smith

Ma Rainey

Women in Black Music

Critical Analysis/Thinking for reading, written assignments and oral  presentations

• There is a considerable difference between a reporting or retelling, and in-depth critical analysis
• The goal is to read, think and question in order to reach conclusions and insightful meanings.
• Begin by forming the questions. What are the issues, conflicts, and challenges that are presented.

•  Use examples, cite sections of the text and quotes to support your points. Make us believe or at least raise our own questions.
• Ultimately, what does the material that is presented mean to you, to us, and to society in general? State your views based on the questions you raise with your personal insight.

Helpful tips:

• Use the sources on this guide!
• "The goal is to read, think, and question in order to reach conclusions and insightful meanings."- Course Syllabus
• "Begin by forming questions. What are the issues, conflicts, and challenges that are presented?" - Course Syllabus
• "Don't tell us, show us. Use examples. cite sections of text and quotes to support your points. Make us believe or at least raise our own questions." - Course Syllabus
• "Ultimately, what does the material that is presented mean to you, to us, and to society in general? State your views based on the questions you raise with your personal insight." - Course Syllabus
• Ask for Help if you need it ! https://www.fairfield.edu/library/askalibrarian/