Expository Essay: This is Your Brain on Music

Cognitive scientist Steven Pinker has argued that music is simply a byproduct of language, no more than an evolutionary “spandrel.” And he has dismissed music as “auditory cheesecake,” which “just happens to tickle several important parts of the brain in a highly pleasurable way, as cheesecake tickles the palate.” In fact, he claims that, “as far as biological cause and effect are concerned, music is useless.” Daniel J. Levitan takes the opposite view of music and, in This is Your Brain on Music, he attempts to refute Pinker’s theory by citing some of the latest cognitive science. In a concise essay, briefly outline some of Levitan’s key rebuttals of Pinker’s argument about music. Cite specific evidence from This is Your Brain on Music  to support your thesis.

Note: Levitan's official website includes an extensive playlist of songs mentioned in the book, along with an explanation of the musical concept illustrated in each. Find the list here.

Requirements:

• MLA Style, including parenthetical citation
• 2-3-page minimum
• Include a works cited page

Due: Thu 11.5

 

Music News 10.29.15

• Kanye West releases silent film in support of his clothes line (Rolling Stone)
• Ricky Martin joins Taylor Swift for a rendition "Livin' La Vida Loca" at her Miami show  (Socialite Life)
• Rhianna joins Luc Besson's next film (New Music Express)
• Justin Bieber walks out of awkward Spanish-language interview (Entertainment Weekly) 
• Sam Smith taking a break because "it feels right" (New York Daily News)
• Siri coming to Apple Music on the new Apple TV (VentureBeat)

Reflection 6: A Little Mood Music—Creating an Annotated Playlist

Regardless of the situation, there are always songs that fit it just right. Whether you require a romantic mood, a little inspiration, or if you just want to forget your troubles, music exists to enhance those and any other experience. For this reflection, you will create a playlist of at least six songs to fit one of the following situations. Additionally, you must annotate each song in 2-3 sentences. Your annotations should explain your rationale for their inclusion. When compiling your playlist consider the role music plays in the situation? Is it central to the experience or better in the background? What kind of mood are you hoping to evoke? What kinds of music do people typically play in this situation and does your playlist offer any surprises?

Based upon your month of birth, create an annotated playlist of at least six songs for one of the following:

1. January—A cold and rainy day: What's the best music for staying indoors on a chilly and wet winter's day? 
2. February—A romantic dinner for two: Love is in the air; how do you enhance the mood with music?
3. March—Spring cleaning: It's time to give the house a good scrubbing; what music will motivate you to get the job done?
4. April—Working out: Swimsuit weather is around the corner; which songs will push you toward your goals?
5. May—A Cinco de Mayo party: You're hosting a few friends for a casual Cinco de Mayo party; how will your playlist keep the party caliente?
6. June—Studying for finals: Time to get serious about hitting the books; which songs can keep you the most focused?
7. July—Celebrating the Fourth: It's America's birthday, how will you show your musical pride?
8. August—A road trip: You're taking to the road; what songs will inspire a spirit of adventure?
9. September—The dog days of summer: It's end of summer is in sight, but it's not leaving without one final heat wave; what music will help you beat the heat?
10. October—A Halloween party: All Hallows' Eve is upon us; what's a frightfully good playlist that will keep your party going?
11. November—Fall back for fall:The time change has been rough to for you to adjust to; what are some songs to inspire restful sleep?
12. December—A holiday dinner party: Friends are coming over for festive dinner; which songs will be most ring in the spirit of the season for your guests?

Required:

• Must be in MLA Style
• Must be one full page in length

Due: Wed. 10.4

Week 11: Vince Guaraldi

Vince Guaraldi Trio, "Great Pumpkin Waltz" (1965)

Week 11:Vince Guaraldi
Tu 10.27/Th 10.29
Read: BRAIN—“What Makes a Musician?” – “The Music Instinct”
Class: Reading discussion; Presentations
Due: REFLECTION 6

Upcoming:

Week 12: Justin Timberlake
Tu 11.3/Th 11.5
Class: English Dept. Assessment; Reading discussion; Presentations
Due: EXPOSITORY (ANNOTATED—INSTRUCTIONS TO BE GIVEN IN CLASS PRIOR TO DUE DATE)

Music News 10.24.15

• Adele drops surprise single, "Hello," from forthcoming album, smashes records (Billboard)
• Madonna's fans take to the streets of Portland (Oregonian)
• How kids can learn to love classical music (Guardian)
• Wale: Frank Ocean only won a Grammy because he's gay (HollywoodLife)
• Prince joins Instagram (New York Daily News)
• Prince Jackson kicks off speculation that Michael Jackson was not his father (Daily Mirror) 

 

Multimedia Presentations, Sec. 63 (Updated Schedule)

Find the details of the assignment here.

Week 11: TU 10.27/TH 10.29

1. Ryan T. and Daniela O. - Grease is the Word: Legacy of a Legendary Musical
2. Lachlan W. and Lily C. – There’s a Light: Inside The Rocky Horror Picture Show
3. Thomas P. and Leilani S. - Blonde Ambition: Thirty Years of Madonna

Week 12: TU 11.3/TH 11.5

1. Marlen M. and Ali B. - Sistas of Hip Hop: From Lady B to Nicki Minaj 
2. Lori W. and Huy T. - MTV: The First Decade 

Week 13: TU 11.10/TH 11.12

1. Chris L. and Carolyn C. – The Movie Musical Comes Back: Moulin Rouge!, Dreamgirls, and Les Miserables
2. Suyash G. and Harrison L. - Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, The Big Bopper, and the Day the Music Died  

Week 14: TU 11.17/TH 11.19

1. Cuc P. and Mariah R. - The World of Bollywood Musicals
2. Gabrielle T. and Karen M. - Explicit Content: The History of the Parental Advisory Label 

Week 15: TU 11.24

1. Azaian C. and Andre F. - Totally Bitchin’: All about New Wave

Week 16: TU 12.1/TH 12.3

1. Victoria T. and Alex T. - Masters of the Music Video: Spike Jonze, Hype Williams, and Mark Romanek 
2. Anthony M. and Mory N. - Go, Man Go: Inside West Side Story 

 

Multimedia Presentations, Sec. 38 (Updated Schedule)

Find the details of the assignment here.

Week 11: TU 10.27/TH 10.29

1. Ashley C. and Shawndina M. – What is K-Pop?
2. Aarti S. and Julian F. - There’s a Light: Inside The Rocky Horror Picture Show

Week 12: TU 11.3/TH 11.5

1. Kiera E. and Maria B. - Blond Ambition: Thirty Years of Madonna
2. Alex P. and Caitlin T. – Explicit Content: The History of the Parental Advisory Label

Week 13: TU 11.10/TH 11.12

1. Shruti S. and Jennifer N. – Masters of the Music Video: Spike Jonze, Hype Williams, and David Fincher
2. Lennon K. and Allie M. - Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, The Big Bopper, and the Day the Music Died

Week 14: TU 11.17/TH 11.19

1. Juan T. and Akhil K. – The Drop: Inside EDM?
2. Alfonso D. and Emma D. – It's Like Totally Bitchin’: All about New Wave

Week 15: TU 11.24

1. Julie H. and Seni M. - Woodstock: Three Days of Peace and Music
2. Steve F. and Natalie G. - Sistas of Hip Hop: From Lady B to Nicki Minaj

Week 16: TU 12.1/TH 12.3

1. Eli M. and Elvys D. - Inside the Bollywood Musical