Song Analysis Assignment

What song best defines “Generation Y” for you?

Generation Y is the echo boom, the children of baby boomers born between 1980 and 1995. This is your life! We have already analyzed as a class song lyrics that represent Baby Boomers and Gen-Xers. Now it is your turn to select a song with meaningful lyrics that you feel best characterizes your generation.

This is not simply an opinion piece. You should apply the psychological, sociological and anthropological frameworks we have learned about. However, you may write in the first person to express your reasoning about your choice of song and to share your own beliefs and attitudes where appropriate. The assignment should include:

• A brief summary of the song that describes the “W5s”

• A comprehensive answer to the question “What song best defines Generation Y for you?” You must make your song a convincing choice by explaining “Why”? Make sure you define Generation Y clearly. Your analysis should be based on these criteria:

Y What issues matter the most to Generation Y? (e.g., the environment, money and success, love and acceptance)

Y What values of Generation Y can you determine from this song? (e.g., the pursuit of fame and fortune or finding equality for all)

Y What customs are evident? (e.g., leisure activities, cultural activities)

Y Are there any gender expectations? (Roles for men or women)

Y What are the social norms and mores? (e.g., what are the attitudes towards sex, drugs etc.)

• A copy of the song lyrics

Details:

• The assignment should be 2 - 4 pages (81/2 x 11 – letter size) double spaced, Times New Roman Font size 12.
• Include the rubric (this should address everything that will be evaluated)
• Feel free to add anything that you feel will enhance the assignment

DUE:
Rubric: The Why of Y?

Categories	Level 4	Level 3	Level 2	Level 1
Knowledge/Understanding Selects a song with meaningful lyrics that you feel best characterizes your generation. Uses W5 questions to summarize the song	Selects a song that clearly defines the issues, values, customs and social norms of Generation Y Demonstrates thoroughly understanding of the song by summarizing all of the W5s	Selects a song that generally defines the issues, values, customs and social norms of Generation Y Demonstrates considerable understanding of the song by summarizing most of the W5s	Selects a song that somewhat defines the issues, values, customs and social norms of Generation Y Demonstrates some understanding of the song by summarizing most of the W5s	Selects a song that does not define the issues, values, customs and social norms of Generation Y Demonstrates limited understanding of the song by summarizing some of the W5s
Thinking Applies criteria questions to determine the issues, values, customs, gender expectation, social norms and mores evident in the song lyrics.	Applies criteria critically and creatively with a high degree of effectiveness	Applies criteria critically and creatively with a considerable effectiveness	Applies criteria critically and creatively with some effectiveness	Applies criteria critically and creatively with limited effectiveness
Communication Organizes ideas, language, grammar, spelling to answer the question “What song best defines Generation Y for you?” Uses first person to share own ideas and beliefs where appropriate	Uses organizational, language, grammar and spelling skills to clearly answer the question “What song best defines Generation Y for you?”	Uses organizational, language, grammar and spelling skills to generally answer the question “What song best defines Generation Y for you?”	Uses organizational, language, grammar and spelling skills to somewhat answer the question “What song best defines Generation Y for you?”	Uses organizational, language, grammar and spelling skills with limited effectiveness to answer the question “What song best defines Generation Y for you?”
Application Makes clear connections between the lyrics of the song and the life of young people by extending thinking to include why this song best represents the worldview of Generation Y	Uses anthropological, sociological and psychological theories with a high degree of effectiveness to explain why the song best represents the worldview of Generation Y	Uses anthropological, sociological and psychological theories with a considerable effectiveness to explain why the song best represents the worldview of Generation Y	Uses anthropological, sociological and psychological theories with some effectiveness to explain why the song best represents the worldview of Generation Y	Uses anthropological, sociological and psychological theories with limited effectiveness to explain why the song best represents the worldview of Generation Y

Comments
Knowledge and Understanding

Thinking

Communication

Application

Overall