St Petersburg College Sugar Were Going Down by Fall Out Boy Song Discussion

INTRODUCTION: For this discussion, you will construct an evaluation based on contemporary music and then do a bit of compare/contrast with a classmate’s findings. There are two options for this discussion, so review the instructions for both before making a decision for the avenue you want to take.

GRADING: See the Module Activity Grading Criteria for detailed information regarding the minimum requirements for Discussions. Before composing either your Initial Post or Reflection Post, know the minimum expectations, including word count, appearance, research, etc. Also, review the descriptions for the expectations for each grade level possible for this assignment.

MATERIALS: Use Chapter 6 in your textbook, the Chapter 6 Required Online Exploration, and your own independent research as your guides for your evaluation.

INSTRUCTIONS:

For this discussion, review the following two options and make a selection. Remember, only choose ONE of the two options. When you construct your Initial Post, be sure to include “Option A” or “Option B” with your title in the subject line of your new discussion thread.

Option A: Influences on Present-Day Music

Complete the following steps for your Initial Post:

1. Locate and select a professionally made music video of any composer/performer/band released by the artist on or after January 1, 2000 that has an easily shareable URL.

2. Carefully listen to your selected song, and critically examine its components, style, context, and influence.

3. Do research and find the relevant information required in Step 4. As always, research should come from viable sources, but in this case, you may want to explore professional interviews or music reviews by established music critics.

4. Now that you’ve carefully examined the work of music you selected, construct your Initial Post and include the following:

• Identify the song and artist/band that you chose.
• Provide a brief biography of your chosen artist/band (no more than a few sentences)
• Describe the artist’s/band’s style of music.
• Identify at least one musician, band or musical style from the textbook or online exploration/research that influenced your chosen song.
• Include specific evidence from the chosen song or research that supports your arguments.
• Include the URL (hyperlink) to your chosen song and all research sources.
• Explain why you chose the song, using your knowledge of musical components, styles, and history.

5. Find classmates who also chose Option A. Listen to several of your classmates’ chosen contemporary songs, read their Initial Posts, and construct a Reflection Post in which you:

• Identify at least one additional similarity or influence on your classmate’s chosen song that is not already identified by your classmate, including evidence supporting your argument.

Option B: Influences on K-pop Music

Complete the following steps for your Initial Post:

1. Using online resources or other research, familiarize yourself with the South Korean pop (K-pop) group Girls’ Generation and find your favorite song/video from their work that has an easily shareable URL that can be viewed by your classmates.

• The South Korean pop group Girls’ Generation has been a phenomenal success across many parts of Asia since it hit the scene in 2007. They have been compared to the sensation that was created in the 1960s by the Beatles.
• Do research and find the relevant information required in Step 2. Be sure to cite the source(s) (e.g. the website, essay, or book) where you found your information about Girls’ Generation. Use the questions in Step 2 below to guide your research.
• Suggested resources (be sure to cite these sources if you reference them):
  • Girls’ Generation YouTube Channel
  • Billboard’s Girl’s Generation artist site
  • Dazed‘s article “Girls’ Generation’s K-pop reign”
  • The New Yorker‘s article “Factory Girls”

2. Now that you’ve carefully examined the band Girls’ Generation, their work, and their critical reception, construct your Initial Post and include the following:

• Provide a brief biography of the band (no more than a few sentences)
• Describe the band’s style of music.
• Identify at least one musician, band or musical style that has influenced the musical work of Girls’ Generation.
• Include specific evidence from the band’s work, your online exploration/research, or the textbook to support your arguments.
• Identify your favorite song by Girls’ Generation.
• Include the URL (hyperlink) to your favorite Girls’ Generation song.
• Using your knowledge of musical components, styles, and history, explain why this female band has stayed popular in Asia, given that no other exclusively female band has lasted more than a few years in America.

3. Find classmates who also chose Option B. Review several of your classmates’ Initial Posts, and construct a Reflection Post in which you:

• Identify at least one additional similarity or influence on Girl’ Generation’s musical work that is not already identified by your classmate, including evidence supporting your argument.