ASSIGNMENTS
Video Responses: Each week, you will upload a short (60-second) video response to a question based on a designated topic. Each question is hyperlinked on the course SCHEDULE. Video responses are due on Friday at 11:59pm.
If you are accessing the Flipgrid website from your computer, enter the JOIN CODE butlercaribbeanmusic
You may also access the site via this link: Music Cultures of the World Flipgrid Site
You will then need to log in using your miami.edu email account.
I also recommend downloading the free Flipgrid app for Apple ios or for android, which should allow you to access and upload videos directly from your mobile device.
WRITTEN REPORT - UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS
Pick one article assigned this semester and write a 3-page essay on what you find to be the most significant aspect of the material, while addressing the following questions: What, in particular, did you learn from the text(s)? What are the strongest (or weakest) elements of the arguments? How effective is the historical and/or ethnographic portrayal of the communities and practices being described and/or analyzed? Feel free to problematize what you read, but also strive to recoup something of scholarly value.
MUSIC REVIEW - UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS
Pick an album of "Caribbean music" (around 5 songs) and write a music review (2 to 3 pages). You may draw from the course website, another online source, or your own collection. The album can be a commercially released recording or a collection of assorted pieces that you compile. Describe the strengths and weaknesses of the recording(s) and situate it in historical and cultural context. In addition, explain how the music on the recording compares with music from outside the Caribbean. What points of overlap and influence do you find remarkable? For helpful tips on writing an effective review, read the short online essay, "How to Write a Music Review--even If You're Not a Music Major."
IN-CLASS OR VIRTUAL PRESENTATION ON ASSIGNED READINGS - GRADUATE STUDENTS
Each graduate student will take responsibility for presenting a 15 to 20-minute overview of at least one reading assignment during the semester. You should succinctly report on what you have found to be the most significant aspect of the assigned material, while addressing the following questions: What, in particular, did you learn from the text(s)? What are the strongest (or weakest) elements of the arguments? How effective is the historical and/or ethnographic portrayal of the communities and practices being described and/or analyzed? Feel free to problematize what you read, but also strive to recoup something of scholarly value.
TRANSCRIPTION PROJECT & PRESENTATION - GRADUATE STUDENTS
Transcribe excerpts from two Caribbean recordings and share them with the class. Choose excerpts that demonstrate contrasting musical styles, techniques, or approaches to the genre, and assess the differences and similarities between them. The length of your transcription will depend, in part, on the complexity of your excerpts. In your in-class presentation, please also address the following questions: What kinds representational challenges do your excerpts pose with regard to pitch, timbre, rhythm, harmony and/or other elements? What notational techniques and/or strategies did you employ in your transcriptions? What insights do your transcriptions provide in terms of helping us better understand Caribbean music, in general, and the music you have chosen, in particular?
Evaluation of Written Work: Work will be graded on a 100-point scale. A score of 90 to 100 is reserved for very thoughtful, well-crafted, and complete assignments that follow the given instructions. A score of 80 to 90 is reserved for complete assignments that contain slight problems with clarity of expression, minor writing errors, and/or fail to rise to the level of an “A” in terms of thoughtfulness, clarity, and/or adherence to the given instructions. Incomplete or poorly completed assignments will receive a score of 79 or lower. You will normally be able to view your assignment score via Blackboard about a week after its due date.
Final Project: For detailed instructions regarding the final project, click here.
If you are accessing the Flipgrid website from your computer, enter the JOIN CODE butlercaribbeanmusic
You may also access the site via this link: Music Cultures of the World Flipgrid Site
You will then need to log in using your miami.edu email account.
I also recommend downloading the free Flipgrid app for Apple ios or for android, which should allow you to access and upload videos directly from your mobile device.
WRITTEN REPORT - UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS
Pick one article assigned this semester and write a 3-page essay on what you find to be the most significant aspect of the material, while addressing the following questions: What, in particular, did you learn from the text(s)? What are the strongest (or weakest) elements of the arguments? How effective is the historical and/or ethnographic portrayal of the communities and practices being described and/or analyzed? Feel free to problematize what you read, but also strive to recoup something of scholarly value.
MUSIC REVIEW - UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS
Pick an album of "Caribbean music" (around 5 songs) and write a music review (2 to 3 pages). You may draw from the course website, another online source, or your own collection. The album can be a commercially released recording or a collection of assorted pieces that you compile. Describe the strengths and weaknesses of the recording(s) and situate it in historical and cultural context. In addition, explain how the music on the recording compares with music from outside the Caribbean. What points of overlap and influence do you find remarkable? For helpful tips on writing an effective review, read the short online essay, "How to Write a Music Review--even If You're Not a Music Major."
IN-CLASS OR VIRTUAL PRESENTATION ON ASSIGNED READINGS - GRADUATE STUDENTS
Each graduate student will take responsibility for presenting a 15 to 20-minute overview of at least one reading assignment during the semester. You should succinctly report on what you have found to be the most significant aspect of the assigned material, while addressing the following questions: What, in particular, did you learn from the text(s)? What are the strongest (or weakest) elements of the arguments? How effective is the historical and/or ethnographic portrayal of the communities and practices being described and/or analyzed? Feel free to problematize what you read, but also strive to recoup something of scholarly value.
TRANSCRIPTION PROJECT & PRESENTATION - GRADUATE STUDENTS
Transcribe excerpts from two Caribbean recordings and share them with the class. Choose excerpts that demonstrate contrasting musical styles, techniques, or approaches to the genre, and assess the differences and similarities between them. The length of your transcription will depend, in part, on the complexity of your excerpts. In your in-class presentation, please also address the following questions: What kinds representational challenges do your excerpts pose with regard to pitch, timbre, rhythm, harmony and/or other elements? What notational techniques and/or strategies did you employ in your transcriptions? What insights do your transcriptions provide in terms of helping us better understand Caribbean music, in general, and the music you have chosen, in particular?
Evaluation of Written Work: Work will be graded on a 100-point scale. A score of 90 to 100 is reserved for very thoughtful, well-crafted, and complete assignments that follow the given instructions. A score of 80 to 90 is reserved for complete assignments that contain slight problems with clarity of expression, minor writing errors, and/or fail to rise to the level of an “A” in terms of thoughtfulness, clarity, and/or adherence to the given instructions. Incomplete or poorly completed assignments will receive a score of 79 or lower. You will normally be able to view your assignment score via Blackboard about a week after its due date.
Final Project: For detailed instructions regarding the final project, click here.