Journal Assignment 1 – 1 Paragraph each about the following (reading, watching, listening). Minimum total of 1 page.  Maximum total of 2 pages. 

READING – 

Week 1 literature –  Write 1 Paragraph about something you read from the following selection of articles. 

 https://www.theguardian.com/music/musicblog/2016/jul/04/walk-this-way-run-dmc-aerosmith 

WATCHING – 

Week 1  film – Write 1 Paragraph about something you saw in 2 of the following options. There are 2 film options and the music videos from Janet Jackson collectively count as the third option. You can do all 3 of them  (2 films and all videos) or just two of them (both films or one film and all videos). To access the films, you will need either Netflix of Another Streaming service like Amazon Prime.  The music videos are on YouTube. If you are not able to access anything, for whatever reason, please let me know and we can arrange an alternative. 

This week’s film options are both based on true stories from the mid 1980s but have been adapted for film. 1) the initial days of Def Jam Recordings and 2) the life of Roxanne Shante

Both of the stories portrayed had a huge impact on Rap and Hip Hop Culture. 

Film: Krush Groove / Roxanne Roxanne (Netflix) 

Videos:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LH8xbDGv7oY

LISTENING – 

Week 1 listening –  Write 1 Paragraph about something you heard or listened to from these playlists.

Both of these Spotify lists have a lot of music. You don’t have to listen to every track, but do choose some from each to listen to. Perhaps it could be listening to some of the artists mentioned in the above literature or movie, or listening to an artist that you’ve never heard of. Things to consider – how do you describe the sounds/music with the written word? What do you think some of the lyrics talk about?

This may not be an easy task at first but try and do so. There isn’t a “right” way to do this, but learning how and what musical terms mean and using them descriptively is something to learn. Another goal of this course is to develop that ability. At first, it may be difficult, but try it out so we (me and the TAs) can see where you are. 

 1985 – Spotify playlist :https://open.spotify.com/playlist/68vIakBbytSiO6XwKcHYmg?si=_NTHtwydTbWtFWtInK066Q