Communication 4930 (SPC 4930-901)
Communication and Popular Music
Spring 1998

Prof. Gil Rodman
CIS 3040, 974-3025
grodman@chuma.cas.usf.edu
Tu, Th 4-5p and by appointment

T.A. Mike Lowe
CIS 3067, 974-2145
mlowe@du.edu
W 1-3p and by appointment
Course objectives

This course will examine popular music -- including rock'n'roll, rhythm'n'blues, soul, disco, punk, rap, grunge, and the like -- as a form of communication. Perhaps the best way to explain what this course is about, however, is to say a few words about what it isn't:
While all three of these concerns -- history, aesthetics, and analysis -- will crop up in important ways during the semester, the course's primary focus is on the cultural politics of popular music. Bear in mind that few (if any) of the questions we'll address this semester have easy answers. How well you do in this class will depend, not on your ability to provide the "right" answers, but on your ability to think critically about the role of popular music in contemporary society and your ability to argue whatever position(s) you take well.

Important warning

Do not think that because this is a course in popular music (i.e., something commonly regarded as fun) it will thus be a "party" course that you can blow off. While I hope the course will be interesting (and even fun), the fact that so many people can (and do) take pleasure in this music is precisely what makes it important enough for us to take seriously. This course will demand a great deal of reading, writing, and (most importantly) thinking on your part, none of which will go smoothly for you if you assume that you can simply bull your way through because "it's only rock and roll."
Required course materials
  1. Books Available (but only until 31 January) at Inkwood Books, 216 S. Armenia, Tampa (253-2638). See separate handout for directions and store hours.
  2. Photocopied essays
    A coursepack containing additional required reading for the semester can be purchased at Staples (1401 E. Fowler). A copy of this packet will also be placed on reserve in the USF Library.
  3. An e-mail account
    Participation in the listserv (POPMUSIC-L) that has been set up for this course will require you to have (and use) an e-mail account. For those of you who don't already have an e-mail account, information on how to sign up for one is available on a separate handout.
Grading schedule
	One (1) 3-4 page thought paper				10%
	Four (4) 3-4 page response papers			40% (10% each)
	Listserv participation					10%
	Take-home final exam or research paper			30%
	Attendance/participation				10%
Writing assignments
Your written work must be typed and double-spaced. The page lengths given are based on pica-sized type (10 characters per inch) and one inch margins, and should be seen as estimates of how much you'll need to write to complete the assignments well. I will not automatically penalize shorter papers, but it's highly unlikely that you will be able to do "A" work if your papers are shorter than 3 pages. Also note that fudging margins and font sizes to make your papers look longer will not help your grade -- so concentrate on writing good papers, not (what appear to be) long ones.
Thought paper
This assignment (3-4 pages, due 15 January) will be ungraded. Assuming you turn the paper in, you should receive full credit (10% of your final grade) for doing so. I reserve the right, however, to give partial or even no credit to papers that fail to meet the assignment's requirements. Further details concerning this paper can be found on a separate handout.
Response papers
You will write four 3-4 page papers, each of which will be a critical response to one week's readings and discussions. You must turn in one paper during each "quarter" of the course, though the specific due date from within each quarter is up to you. Further details about this assignment will be made available on a separate handout.
Listserv participation
The primary purpose of the listserv is to provide an ongoing informal forum for discussion of the issues raised by the assigned readings and our class sessions. Prompts intended to spur on the dialogue will be posted as necessary.

Because listservs tend to be somewhat freeform in nature, there is no neat and simple formula for assessing grades for this aspect of the course. The minimum contribution to receive a passing grade, however, will be five substantial (i.e., more than a paragraph long) posts addressing material from five different sections of the syllabus. Of course, if you expect to receive an A or a B for this portion of your grade, you will need to contribute more than the minimum. To be eligible for full credit (10% of your final grade) for this portion of the course, you must (a) be subscribed to the list by 6 pm on 12 February and (b) have made your first on-topic post to the list by 6 pm on 26 February. The penalty for missing either of these deadlines will be a grade point for every week (or fraction thereof) that you're late (e.g., not subscribing until 21 February will cost you 2 points and not posting for the first time until 28 February will cost you 1 more point). Additional information about the list and how to use it will be sent to you when you subscribe.

Listserv tips
Final exam/research paper
For your final assignment, you may choose between writing a take-home final exam or a research paper. Both will be due by 5 pm on 30 April.

The exam will be cumulative; it will consist of three long essay questions (3-4 pages each).

The research paper will be 12-15 pages long and should consist of original research on some aspect of popular music and communication. Those of you choosing this option must turn in a 1-2 page proposal by 26 February, and your topic must be formally approved before you can pursue this option as a substitute for the final exam. Completed research papers must be accompanied by all your research notes and materials: final papers turned in without notes will not be accepted. Further details about the requirements for this project will be made available on a separate handout.
Attendance/participation/quizzes
Attendance will be taken every week, with absences, late arrivals, and early departures noted. If you have more than one unexcused absence (or if you consistently arrive late and/or leave early), I reserve the right to lower your semester grade by more than just the 10% listed for attendance on the grade schedule above.

This course is geared towards in-class discussions, although there will be days when I lecture extensively. It will thus be more enjoyable for all of us (and you'll do better) if you (1) attend class regularly, (2) do the required reading, and (3) come to class prepared to discuss what we've read. Consistently lackluster discussions will force me to take drastic measures (i.e., quizzes) to assure me that y'all are doing the required work. In the event quizzes become necessary, final grades will be calculated on a revised schedule:

     Thought paper					0%
     Response papers					40%
     Listserv participation				10%
     Final exam/research paper				30%
     Attendance/participation				5%
     Quiz(zes)						15%

In keeping with the University Policy on Religious Observances, students who anticipate being absent from class due to a major religious observance must provide notice to me in writing by 15 January concerning which class period(s) you expect to miss and why.
Miscellaneous
Jan 8 -- Introduction


Jan 15 -- History and Music
Jan 22 -- Politics and Music
Jan 29 -- Culture and Music
Feb 5 -- Making Music
Feb 12 -- Listening to Music
Feb 19 -- Selling Music
Feb 26 -- Owning Music
Mar 5 -- Stealing Music
Mar 12 --SPRING BREAK


Mar 19 -- Music and Race
Mar 26 -- Music and Gender
Apr 2 -- Music and Youth
Apr 9 -- Music and Community
Apr 16 -- Music and Technology
Apr 23 -- Music and Censorship
Apr 30 --Turning stuff in