ENG 315-001: Writing About
Music
(home)
MWF 1-1:50 in MO 102
Instructor: N. Laudadio
Office: Randall 2013; Office Hours: MW, 3:15-4, F, by appt.
E-mail: laudadion@uncw.edu
Website: http://people.uncw.edu/laudadion/
Course Description
In this course, we will consider what it means to write and think critically
about music, not only as a vehicle for entertainment or enlightenment, but as
one the most pervasive and powerful cultural forces. We will examine the critical
and rhetorical possibilities found in the structures and strategies of popular
(and not so popular) music. But this course will not be about simply listening
to records and talking about them. We will also be reading a lot of writing
about music, since reviews, academic lectures, fiction, and news articles use
techniques as widely varied as the music they discuss.
Required texts
* Articles in library reserve and online.
* Bellman, Jonathan. A Short Guide to Writing About Music. Pearson Longman,
2000.
* Da Capo Best Music Writing 2003, Matt Groening, ed..
These books are available from the university bookstore as well as the Seahawk
bookstore, but feel free to buy them used from amazon.com or bookfinder.com
if you would prefer. Just make sure you have all your books by the time we discuss
them (and the right editions).
Supplies
* Sturdy folder (no binders) with pockets for your journal entries and essays;
paper for taking notes; disk for backing up your computer work.
**Save all writing you do this semester in at least two locations (i.e on disk
and in hard copy). Keep all work that I hand back to you in your journal.
** NB: Always save repeatedly and back up regularly as important documents have
a tendency to disappear and crashes/losses are not an acceptable excuse for
late/missing assignments.
Class requirements and
assignments
* You will be required to maintain a listening journal (see below), write two
major essays (5-7pgs) and three shorter papers (1500 wds), participate in class
discussions, and attend class regularly (see attendance policy below).
* Each assignment (including journal entries) should be typed in a standard
10 or 12 point serifed font (Times or Times New Roman) in MLA style (refer to
the website for more info). Hand in all versions of the paper with your final
drafts.
* Late assignments will be reduced by one-third of a grade per class day. (Absence
from class on the date due (as well as computer problems) does not excuse the
lateness of your assignment.)
* Everything must be typed. No exceptions.
* A significant amount of course material is only available on the course website,
so you need to make sure you have regular (two to three times a week) internet
access-this includes checking your email as I occasionally use a class mailing
list as a means of communication away from the classroom.
Listening Journal
Throughout the semester, you will be required to keep a listening journal-a
record of your interaction with music in its various forms and other people's
writings about music. Twice a week, you will write down observations, reflections
and notions on your listening and reading experiences. Occasionally I will specify
the nature of your journal entries, but often you will be left to your own devices.
NB: You need to keep your journal organized (chronologically) and make
sure it is with you during every class period. I will occasionally collect your
folders without warning.
You need to center your discussion on tangible and specific aspects of the article/work
you are discussing, not on your emotions. When you “run out of things to say,”
you're probably not being specific enough. Since these entries are short, don't
try to tackle the entire piece; rather, spend time on specific moments/ movements/instruments.
Also, when you are asked to comment on texts, make sure your reviews/citations
are from “reputable” sources (and always cite your sources). See the links page
on the website for places to begin and, if you're not sure, ASK.
When writing on a song/album, you need to focus on the music. What emotion does
the tempo or key or subject matter convey? How do the various aspects of the
song/album/composition support a larger thesis? How does this piece relate to
something else you've heard? What, and How I want you to avoid artists/bands/composers
you are comfortable with, albums that are too obvious. It may seem a touch fascistic,
but I've put together a list of artists I want you to avoid. This is not because
I dislike these people per se, but because I think they've been “done to death”
as it were and you really need to be a seasoned veteran to write about these
folks and have it “work.” If you are at a loss for listening material, I've
put together a list of albums that I believe will make good listening/writing
material. Both of these lists are available on the website. While there will
be a few albums available on reserve for you to listen to (you will be required
to do so), you'll have to get a good deal of this music on your own. If you
are having trouble finding something, please let me know.
Breakdown of grades
Final essay (30%), midterm essay (20%), Three short papers (20%) Listening journal
entries: (20%) (all work must be in order, titled, dated, and typed).
Participation: includes group work, class participation, attendance, and general
attitude (10%).
Attendance
* You are allowed to miss four classes before you are penalized. Use these wisely
(i.e. save them for when you are really sick).
After your fourth absence:
5 missed days= your final grade drops by a third (i.e. from a B minus to a C
plus).
6 missed days= your final grade drops by another third (i.e. from a C plus to
a C)
7 missed days=you receive a failing grade No exceptions on this.
* Do not schedule meetings with your advisor, doctor's appointments or anything
else during this class time. (Having a doctor's note does not gain you a “free”
absence.)
* Don't leave class early.
* If you are more than several minutes late to class three times, you will receive
one absence. It is essential that you be on time.
Incompletes
The incomplete grade may be given only to students who have 1) fulfilled the
attendance requirement for the course and 2) completed all but one of the written
assignments.
Academic Dishonesty
Plagiarism is using another person's words (even just a few words and even if
they are from some old website) and/or ideas as if they were your own. To avoid
plagiarism, simply put the material you have taken in quotation marks and cite
the person's name and publication information in your paper. Please note that
turning in an assignment that you wrote for another class also falls under the
heading of academic dishonesty and is prohibited. If you turn in any such assignments,
you will receive an “F” for the course and I will notify the Dean.
Writer's Block
Feel free to stop in during office hours for any reason; as paper time draws
near, you'll probably want to schedule an appointment if you're desperate for
additional feedback. Please do not wait until the last minute to do so; I cannot
(as you can probably imagine) schedule time for very many students two days
before the deadline. If you need additional assistance on your paper draft beyond
this meeting, please seek out the Writing Place; the staff are there to provide
feedback on papers. (Please keep in mind, however, that merely having someone
on the staff read your paper does not ensure you a higher grade. http://www.uncw.edu/stuaff/writingplace/
962-7155 (appointments are recommended) Hours: M-Th 10-9; Friday 10-3; Sun 6
p.m.-9 p.m.