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MUSC 1132 Critical Issues in American Popular Music: Home

Welcome!

Hello! This course guide has been created for students enrolled in MUSC 1132 Critical Issues in American Popular Music. In this guide, you will find several resources intended to help with your research coursework.

  • Background Sources- We will be using Britannica and Credo in the research class but you can use other sources on this tab as well.
  • Finding Books & Media- The Library has print and electronic books in addition to films that may be of interest.
  • Research Guides- View the Music Research Guide for links to database and other resources. Our databases will retrieve results for journal articles, book chapters, newspaper and magazine articles, interviews, etc. You can also see the full list of other subject guides that may be relevant to your topic.
  • MLA Citation Guide-Remember to cite your sources in-text and create a Works Cited page. Songs should be cited as well.
  • Research Tutorials- Some of our tutorials are listed here.

Assignment Info

Assignment Requirements:

  • 4-6 page paper on cultural appropriation. You may argue for or against cultural appropriation but you must use examples to prove your points.  In detail, explain how issues of race and gender intersect with the concept of cultural appropriation.
  • Minimum of 7 quality sources
  • Cite your sources in MLA 8th edition style

Helpful tips:

  • Use the sources on this guide!
  • If you need help finding a topic, try reading a few articles on cultural appropriation (or a chapter from one of the ebooks listed on the Books tab), or do a Google search for recent news articles on cultural appropriation, or make a list of the things you have encountered or are interested in. Ex: you like sports and could look into Native Americans and mascots.
  • "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/

Class Example

Gwen Stefani's history of cultural appropriation doesn't end with Japan

Gwen Stefani defends 'Harajuku Girls' era and denies cultural appropriation

 

Keywords

Gwen Stefani AND cultural appropriation  (newspaper articles)

cultural appropriation AND Japanese fashion  (articles)

cultural appropriation AND kimono  (articles)

kimono   (background sources, book)

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