Week 5: Sounds of Anti & Pro War Movements: From WWI to 9/11

We are rounding the corner towards the home stretch! I know times are tough, and I commend you all for sticking in there!

To clarify, I just wanted to send you the list of sources that should be referenced in essay 5.

Ch. 2 “From WWI into the 1950s” In Singing for peace : anti-war songs in
American history. Ronald D. Cohen and Will Kaufman

Kenneth Bindas and Craig Houston, “‘Takin’ Care of Business’: Rock
Music, Vietnam and the Protest Myth”

Dorian Lynskey “Country Joe and the Fish…Rock ‘n’ Roll Goes to
Vietnam.” In: 33 Revolutions Per Minute

Ch. 5 “Peace Songs since 1970” from Singing for peace : anti-war songs
in American history. In Ronald D. Cohen and Will Kaufman

Reebee Garofalo, “Pop Goes to War, 2001–2004: U.S. Popular Music
After 9/11”

Bryan Garman, “Models of Charity and Spirit: Bruce Springsteen, 9/11,
and the War on Terror”

Assignment:

Briefly respond to each of these prompts. Total word count should be approx. 1000. Include works cited page. You must cite all required readings and films, or it will be a ZERO, with a chance to resubmit for a capped grade.

1. Discuss popular protest music from World War I to the 1950s. How did music both express pro- and anti-war stances? Give at least 2 examples of each. Also, include discussion of how musicians expressed anxieties with the atomic bomb.  
2. Discuss how American rock/pop music reflected both pro- and anti-war sentiments during the Vietnam War era. Be sure to discuss at least 4 songs and artists. Does musical genre (rock, folk, soul, country, etc.) relate to the political stances on war? If so, how and why might this be? 
3. Discuss war-themed songs of the post-Vietnam era (1975-2000). How do these compare to those of the Vietnam era in terms of sound, style, theme, political issues, lyrical content? Include at least 3 song examples with lyrical analysis.
4. Discuss the shifts in mood over time after the attacks of 9/11 and how music reflected these changes. Particularly, note the difference in tone for the 2 televised tribute concerts. Did certain genres tend to be more aligned with certain political stances? If so, how and why might this be? And, how might certain artists break with this pattern? Include a mention of jingoism, and songs/artists that exemplify this. Include discussion of Bruce Springsteen, censorship, and clear channel.  
5. Compare and contrast American popular protest music during the World Wars, Vietnam, post-Vietnam, and the post-9/11 eras. Did similar issues arise? Did artists face similar or different situations/challenges as related to government, media, and audiences?