Assignment 1: Due Wednesday

DISCUSSION BOARD ASSIGNMENT:

Look at the topics and issues listed below that are based on your BB readings for this week. The objective of this assignment is to develop a critical awareness of the role that music plays in the west, primarily as entertainment and as a tool for advertising.

1. Do you agree or disagree that there is too much recorded music that perhaps clutters our environment or threatens our quality of living, even if in small ways?

2. Do you think that major recording companies producing pop music influence listener’s tastes or simply attempt to meet popular demand?

3. Define what is good music and if you think popular music meets your criteria.

4. What happens to innovative or highly creative musicians that don’t fit the pop model? Do these artists sometimes get popular? Do they have to sell out in order to gain a larger share of the marketplace? Can you think of some groups have sold out?

Choose one of these topics. Write a short paragraph to address one of the above topics. Apply good analysis and reasoning. Give at least one example to support your view. Then respond to at least one other classmate's submission.

GO TO DISCUSSION BOARD FOR INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW TO SUBMIT