Homework #2- SYG2000 Online

For this homework you will use class lecture, discussions and your reading to explore inequality
through music. You have eight possible songs to choose from, all listed on Blackboard in the
Homework 2 folder. You will need to select two songs and, following the instructions below,
write a response paper. In order to write the paper you need to complete all of the contents of
each song folder. Then, you can select a song of your own to write about.
Instructions
1. Select the songs you want to write about. In each folder is a video of the song being
performed and an article discussing the relevance of the song. Before you write, watch the video
and read the article.
2. Write your response by answering the following questions:
a. Discuss the song you selected and why you selected it.
b. Explain how symbolic interaction relates to music. Consider how music resonates
with the listener and how music affects people. Include in this answer a quote from the
reading for class and a quote from the additional reading specific to the song.
c. How does this song deal with oppression, inequality and/or exploiting power? (All
themes we have been covering. See class notes as well as information on conflict theory
from reading and notes.)
d. Why do you think this song was selected for Homework 2?
3. Your answer to each question above should be 75-100 words per answer. Repeating the
questions above does not contribute to the word count and points will be deducted.
4. Finally, pick your own song to write about as the third option. Include a link from an outside
resource discussing the song at the top of the response. (See sample paper below for an
example.) For the song you select, you don’t need to answer letter d.
5. Make sure your name and course ID number is at the top of the page.
6. Citing pages from the book should look like this:
“quote…” (2017, p.X)
7. Citing from the online article should look like this:
“quote…” (Author, year)

1
 Sample Paper
Your Name
Course CRN #
Song #1- Insert Title Here
a. Discuss the song you selected and why you selected it.
Answer here. (Remember, the repeating the question does not count toward your word count.)
b. Explain how symbolic interaction relates to music. Consider how music resonates with the
listener and how music affects people. Include in this answer a quote from the reading for class
and a quote from the additional reading specific to the song.
Answer here:
In the book, the authors write “xyzxyz.” (2017, p. 167) In the online article, the author writes
“xyzxyz.” (Smith, 2015)
c. How does this song deal with oppression, inequality and/or exploiting power? (All themes we
have been covering. See class notes as well as information on conflict theory from reading and
notes.)
d. Why do you think this song was selected for Homework 2?
Repeat for Song #2 and Song #3

2
Criteria & Points Criteria
Earned Exceeds Expectations Good Fair Poor
Organized Provides a detailed  Some suggestion  Missing an  Lack of organized writing
writing overview of overview. overview.  Ideas fail to make sense or come together
Provides two or three  One or two  The examples are  I don’t understand what you mean
examples to support examples are not clearly
main ideas and is present with connected with the
arranged logically. some selected topic.
Ideas flow smoothly arrangement.  Writing is choppy
throughout the paper  There is some and almost
leading me to follow flow, but at times impossible to
your thoughts. the writing follow.
Uses quotations becomes choppy.
effectively to support  Quotations are
main ideas. used but not
always clear on
their use.
Purpose I understand what your  I recognize the  Topic is unclear  Topic is unclear
main topic is. topic but am  There was a  Purpose is unclear
You have consistently unclear why you written
stayed on topic and selected it. response, but it
have demonstrated  You have was difficult for
your main ideas. stayed on topic, me to connect it
The articles you selected generally, but with your
fit with this topic. strayed at time. purpose.

Content Balanced level of course  Paper gives good  Information proves a  Lack of use of course content
content, social theory, support of main central point, at  No analysis
quotes and citations ideas mixed times. Analysis is  I am confused.
from the selected citations and your general. Lacking
readings, your own own ideas. Some some connections
ideas and reflections. elaboration is with readings.
The writing shows provided.
elaboration and an in-
depth response
 Writing is free or  Occasional errors  Many errors and I  Too many errors to derive meaning. I have
Grammar, practically free of but they do not am distracted by stopped reading.
Spelling, writing errors. represent a major them.
mechanics distraction or make
meaning difficult to
obtain.

Correct amount  Correct number of  Missing part of  Reference included  No literature reviewed.
of content terms, theories and references, but but not clear where
included. references used. (See mostly complete. it came from, no
assignment for elaboration and
elaboration.) little evidence that
it was used
properly.

Length  Word count has been    Word count has not been met
met