eng2piv protest in verse
PROTEST IN VERSE
ENG2PIV
Not currently offered
Credit points: 15
Subject outline
In this subject we will begin with an analysis of early spirituals and blues songs of African-Americans and then then consider popular and political lyric compositions of the 20th and 21st Centuries. The emphasis will be on folk and blues traditions, songs of protest and social justice, particularly in the following contexts: the American Civil Rights movement; the anti- nuclear and anti-war movements; feminist politics; Aboriginal land-rights, stolen generations and reconciliation politics. We will consider: what are the qualities and conditions that turn a conscience-song into an activist anthem?; how important are the literary qualities of a protest song to its success?; what relationships exist between the popularity of a song and its political effectiveness? There will be a practical emphasis on the craft of writing song lyrics. The composition of exemplary songs of social justice will be examined and students will be required to write their own song lyrics on specified themes.
FacultyFaculty of Humanities & Social Sciences
Credit points15
Subject Co-ordinatorSusan Gillett
Available to Study Abroad StudentsYes
Subject year levelYear Level 2 - UG
Exchange StudentsYes
Subject particulars
Subject rules
Prerequisites 30 cps of first-year English or co-ordinator's approval
Co-requisitesN/A
Incompatible subjects ENG2WS, ENG3WS
Equivalent subjectsN/A
Special conditionsN/A
Learning resources
Readings
Resource Type | Title | Resource Requirement | Author and Year | Publisher |
---|---|---|---|---|
Readings | Blues legacies and black feminism: Gertrude 'Ma' Rainey, Bessie Smith and Billie Holiday | Recommended | Davis, A. | PANTHEON BOOKS 1998 |
Readings | Rhythm and resistance: explorations in the political uses of popular music | Recommended | Pratt, R. | PRAEGER 1990 |
Readings | Strange fruit: the biography of a song | Recommended | Margolick, D | ECCO PRESS 2001 |
Subject options
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