Writing Homework Help

Diversity and Race Assignment: How Jazz Musicians were affected by Diversity and Race Issues in American Society in the 20th Century.

Choose one of the following jazz artists/groups from the list below to research the way(s) in which race and/or diversity played a role in their interactions with American society in the earlier part of the 20th century (1900’s -1960’s.) This could include employment issues – performance opportunities, equal treatment, touring issues – hotels, travel options, etc.), criminal justice issues (cabaret cards, arrests, drug use-targeting of musicians and neighborhoods, etc.) and other societal issues of the day. Learn how they responded (or were forced to respond) to these issues and how they involved themselves in issues of civil rights and race and diversity discrimination. Discuss how they used their music or status in the entertainment industry to address these issues. 

NOTE: – If you have an interest in choosing a different artist, you can email the instructors (through Canvas) to request permission to write about that artist.  Be sure there is sufficient documentation of how their career was affected by these issues. 

Write a short (approximately 1000-1500 word paper) and submit. (Word count is NOT the most important component of a research paper.) You will submit a draft for instructor review which will be read, graded, and commented on and returned to you before you submit the final paper. Both versions will use the TurnItIn application. A well-edited, concise, clear and effective presentation is an important component of this assignment. 

The TurnitIn tool reviews papers for copied materials, and issues a Similarity Report, which identifies the copied materials and the percentage of the paper that uses copied materials.  There should not be a large component of the paper that is copied, but some percentage is OK, as long as you are citing the materials and those materials support the points you are making in your paper.

In order to achieve the highest grade you need to include the following topics in your presentation:

A short description of the Artist or group and what issue(s) of discrimination based on race and/or diversity you are writing about.

How race and/or diversity affected their interaction with society during their historical period in America

What sort of responses (if any) the artist/group made to react to the racially/diversity-divided society found in America as jazz music grew along with the country.

How the artist/group used their music or status in the entertainment industry to address these issues

List of Jazz Artists/Groups who were affected by issues of Diversity and/or Race and some of the issues they dealt with. The list of issues are JUST suggestions of a place to start your research, you need find much more material on the artist you choose.

Louis Armstrong– early 20th century stardom for a Black musician

Fletcher Henderson – Black swing bands vs. White Swing Bands – opportunities, acceptance, Black composers/arrangers and White Swing Bands

Benny Goodman– segregation, Black and White musicians playing together

Billie Holiday – female jazz performer, “Strange Fruit”, cabaret card, drug issues

John Coltrane – “Alabama”, how he used his music to comment on Society

Cannonball and Nat Adderley Sextet –raised awareness through their music – “Work Song”, and other songs which were inspired by African American history and traditions. Active in Civil Rights movement in the 1960’s

Nina Simone – singer/pianist who raised awareness and challenged American (World) societal norms with her songs, which often were about civil rights issues. She was an influence on many Americans, not just musicians and others in the entertainment field. 

Rubric

Diversity and Race Writing Assignment

Diversity and Race Writing Assignment

Criteria Ratings Pts

This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeCommunication

Students will produce well-organized, well-developed statements that reflect appropriate use of language to clearly present specific ideas/concepts to distinct audiences.

10 pts

Excellent

The thesis of the paper is clear. Many relevant details from the research are given to support the thesis. Grammar, word choice, spelling, and sentence structure are consistently correct. Copied materials are properly cited and used in an intelligent way to support the writer’s points. Paper and additional materials (discography, references, etc.) follow an accepted format (MLA APA)

8 pts

Above Average

The thesis is fairly clear and is supported by some relevant details from the research. Information is presented in a logical manner that is easily followed. Grammar, word choice, spelling, and sentence structure are generally correct (very few errors). Most of the copied materials are properly cited and used in an intelligent way to support the writer’s points. Paper and additional materials (discography, references, etc.) follow an accepted format (MLA APA)

5 pts

Average

The thesis is somewhat difficult to interpret, and only a few relevant details from the research are given to support it. There are places where it is difficult to follow the flow of the paper. There are several errors of word choice, spelling, sentence structure and/or grammar that stand in the way of understanding the paper. Paper is not very well organized. Many of the copied materials are not properly cited and /or used in an intelligent way to support the writer’s points. Paper and additional materials (discography, references, etc.) do not follow an accepted format (MLA APA.)

3 pts

Below Average

There is an attempted thesis, but it is unclear. The relevant details from the research are either unconnected to the thesis or too few to support the thesis. The paper is hard to follow. There are many errors of word choice, spelling, sentence structure and/or grammar that stand in the way of understanding the paper. Paper is unorganized. High percentage of quoted copied materials – showing a lack of original thought and opinion. Copied materials are not properly cited and /or used in an intelligent way to support the writer’s points. Paper and additional materials (discography, references, etc.) do not follow an accepted format (MLA APA.)

0 pts

Unacceptable

The paper does not have a thesis, makes no creditworthy points, or was not submitted. No research is evident. Unacceptable writing, errors in grammar, word choice, spelling, and sentence structure make the paper unacceptable for a Collegiate level writing assignment. Paper is not organized at all. High percentage of un-cited copied materials (plagiarism.). Paper and additional materials (discography, references, etc.) do not exist or are incomplete and do not follow an accepted format (MLA APA.)