Synthesize what you have learned about media and society in this course through the writing of this final paper about music and its influences. Music is a medium that has shaped the ages.  As noted throughout your texts, social movements have existed and evolved through many methods and vehicles. Music is one of those vehicles and music represents more than entertainment. It has spoken for generations and exemplified belief systems.

For your final paper assignment, you are to write a 3-4 page research essay (excluding APA title page, appendix, and reference sheet or bibliography) that addresses the following questions and contexts. In this paper, explore the relationship of music to at least three of the decades between the 1960s and today.  Your paper should discuss high profile events or movements that happened in each of the three decades and for each decade pick a song that personifies or represents the primary “mood” of the decade. In the essay:

1.  cite examples of how activism and social justice are exemplified through music

2.  show how technology and social media influenced the listener’s reactions

The summary portion of the essay (perhaps at least 3/4 page of the entire essay) should draw connections between the decades and synthesize your findings.  For instance, discuss what are commonalities of movements and people who are represented throughout the decades?  Are these songs anthems for each decade or do the stand the test of time with other generations?  Are there common threads that connect some decades with others?

Grading Guidelines

• identify events in each decade
• explain how events are connected to what the song represents
• show how lyrics are used in the messaging (if full lyrics are used in the paper, they must be attached as an appendix and do not count in the 3-4 total pages)
• help justify your opinions with 3-5 credible sources with proper source citation throughout the paper and in the bibliography
• utilize terminology from the course readings when applicable
• show how technology and social media or other media outlets influenced the listener’s reactions
• use appropriate grammar and structure; college-level writing
• make sure the summary is an appropriate length and draws connections between the decades and synthesizes the findings, such as what are the commonalities of the movements and people represented and addresses the question, “are these songs only anthems for each individual decade or do they also provide representation for and transfer to, other generations and decades?

The essay should be in 12pt type and must be properly cited throughout the paper in APA format. Support your responses with research from the Learning Resources. Use APA in-text citations where necessary and cite any outside sources. Create an APA Reference List at the end of the document. Word count excluding appendices, 1500 to 2000.

MAKE SURE THE PAPER HAS AN INTRODUCTION AND A CONCLUSION. 

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APA

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