Category Proposal Fall 2023

I would like you to think about this proposal in terms of several things.

First, consider two possible songs you would like to investigate. After I read your proposal I will make suggestions on which of the two would be best for the project.

Consider what it is about that songs that intrigue you, that you are curious about, that makes you want to learn more about them. (Don’t just write that you have always loved the song—really engage it critically.) Are the songs too obvious or will they be challenging (challenging is good)? Discuss what make them protest songs and what they are protesting against, and/or the social justice issue being raised. As stated above, the songs must have been released during your lifetime, either as an original recording or a re-interpretation of an older song.

Second, where do you think the songs will lead you, in terms of research and other music? How do the songs exhibit the characteristics of their genre? How do they connect to a particular moment in history?

Third, I would like you to consider what the songs mean to you, personally. Why do you think they are important? Are you willing to dedicate 10 weeks to studying one or the other, which will mean listening to it over and over and over again?

Fourth, I would like you discuss what concerns you have about completing the project.

Embed and/or link to all media referenced, including a version of the song itself (assume that Bill might not know the song and will need to listen to it).

You don’t need to address the items in the order listed above, and your proposal shouldn’t read like a bulleted list. Rather, the ideas and topics should appear seamlessly in your discussion. The goal is to showcase why you want to this, what you will do, where it might appear, and why it is important.

Please post your proposal to the Protest Anthems Podcast web site by Friday, 9/15, by class time.

When posting, be sure to click the “Proposal Fall 2023” category and add appropriate tags.

The proposal can be as long you think it should be for an upper level Communication Studies course.