Music DJ Research

MUSC 210: Electronic Music and Dance Culture
Prof. Sean Nye
Research Essay: Dance Culture
Due: October 17, 2022 (Monday, by 4 p.m.)
Assignment Length & Formatting: You will write one essay, a minimum of 1500 and a maximum of 1700 words,
based on one of the following topics.
In your essay, I do not want you to just recount factual information such as who produced, performed on, acted in,
directed, or inspired the performances (in other words, it should not read like a Wikipedia entry). Please make sure
to avoid the language of a fan (excessive praise, hyperbole, exaggerated claims, etc.). Instead, you should focus on
historical and critical analysis. In other words, your analysis should not be a general review; it should be focused
around a main idea, thesis, point of view, etc.
Option One—Critical Review: Identify a single key word, phrase, or thesis from one of the course readings or
documentaries. Analyze the ways in which the concept has evolved over time or apply it to a current topic in
understanding electronic music and dance culture. Use at least two course readings and one outside source
substantively and accurately to support your claim – and be sure to account for opposing views.
Option Two—DJ Performance Analysis: In this option, you are tasked with closely analyzing a DJ performance:
address its musical and cultural features in detail. Do not feel obligated to analyze all tracks in the DJ performance;
highlighting three or four tracks will help to focus your argument. You should substantively engage course texts and
your example. Define and clearly state your argument based on the texts and your own insights.
Your options are as follows:
Rezz, live at Red Rocks Amphitheatre (2018)
Armin van Buuren, live at Tomorrowland (2019)
Carl Cox, live at Creamfields (2019)
Mija, Virtual Rave-A-Thon (2020)
Use of Sources: Each essay, regardless of topic, must make substantive use of two course readings (see class reading
list in the “Content” section) and one outside source involving professional journalism or academic writing. There is
no need to cite lecture content.
Audience: You should write your essay for a college-educated reader, one who is relatively familiar with the texts or
terms you discuss.
Formatting: The assignment should be doubled-spaced, written in twelve-point Times or Times New Roman font.
You must follow Modern Language Association (MLA) style in formatting the essay, paying special attention to issues
of citation style and layout.
Include your topic/selection clearly in the subject line of your submission on Blackboard. Also state your topic in the
title of your essay.
Resources & Assessment: Consult the syllabus and Blackboard for resources to help you as you draft and develop
your essay.
Essays will be graded based on the following criteria:
Points (due October 12, 2022)
____ out of 20 MLA Formatting & Bibliography
____ out of 20 Grammar, spelling, & paragraph structure
____ out of 30 Substantive use of sources
____ out of 30 Creative, convincing presentation of materials
____ out of 100 TOTAL
A essays will include the following:
• contain 1500-1700 words
• demonstrate that you have thoroughly analyzed the assigned material
• make interesting, accurate, well-structured, and subtle observations about what you hear/see
• use at least two course readings as well as one outside scholarly source
• show that you have a good sense of stylistic/cultural progression and continuity
B essays will generally include the following:
• contain 1500-1700 words
• demonstrate good familiarity with the assigned material
• use course readings very briefly or use less than three sources
• make appropriate observations about what you hear/see
• show that you have a basic sense of the style and culture from the period
C essays will generally include one or more of the following:
• be outside the requested range of 1500-1700 words
• fail to show that you have listened attentively to the assigned DJ/album or carefully read course readings
• minimal or inaccurate engagement with course readings
• contain substantial historical, artistic, or cultural inaccuracies
• are poorly written
D and F grades will be assigned to essays that are incomplete, contain serious mistakes, or fail to address the
assigned material.