Ars Americana: American Popular Arts

poniedziałek, 22 czerwca 2026

A Note on Grades!

Okay, I've finally finished grading all the tests I've so far received (and just about all the remaining students seem to be planning on writing the test on Wednesday).

Probably by tomorrow night (Tuesday) I'll start entering grades on USOS. The grades are based on an average of attendance and test results (taking into account various individual cases, like illness or work, of individual students). Everybody, so far, has at least passed so you can relax about that.

If you're satisfied with the grade then you're done! If you'd like a higher grade then contact me and I'll give you an essay assignment or two to write and then discuss with me.

Those who aren't on USOS yet: I'll make a list of the names that I can't enter and give it to our IT guy, Monday at the latest (since I'm jammed up with exams all this week).

Thanks a lot for a great semester!

niedziela, 21 czerwca 2026

New Test Times announced! UPDATED!

UPDATE: I just realized I could also have a test time on Tuesday (11.30) room to be determined (look for me in 216B).

I've added that to the schedule here:

Okay, if I've told you that you can take the test tomorrow (Monday, June 22, 2026) at 12.00 then look for me in either 212cB or my office (216B) around a quarter to 12.00.

I'll also be able to administer the test on Wednesday, June 24 after 13.00. I have oral exams until 13.00 (time approximate) in 118B and can then look for a room for those who show up.

So I can have some idea, it might be a good idea to write down your names here:

Farris Elective Poll - Dokumenty Google

As for grades, I've been slammed with exam things the last week or so but hope to get to grading soon and will start inputting grades then. If you need it very quickly for some reason then please let me know and I'll expedite your test.

See some of y'all Monday or Wednesday!

poniedziałek, 15 czerwca 2026

Lyrics for June 15, 2026

Two things:

Here are the lyrics for June 16, 2026 (Rap in the 1980s and early 1990s). These are mostly partial and mostly just for songs where the lyrics seem important, in some others they're not so important.

I will also have an announcement about chances to take the Test for Credit next week!

See y'all in class!

czwartek, 11 czerwca 2026

All Notes for Test, First Two Test Times Established

Okay, three (3) things.

First.

Here is a zipfile with all the notes needed for the test.

The notes are numbered chronologically with Gospel and Crossover Artists placed between the 1950s and Motown. The notes for the last class (this coming Tuesday) are also included.

You may have these notes (in printed form on paper) during the test, you may also have other notes you may have made as long as they are on paper. No digital devices are allowed.

The test will be about 50 fill-in-the-blank or short answer questions.

for example (nb examples here are fictitious, answers in italics.)

Doodle Hawkins was the first person to do the cornbread dance in public in 1917.

Which influential record label was based in Mobile, Alabama? Gulf-Jubilee.

Second.

I have established rooms/times for the first two sittings of the test.

The first is Wednesday, June 17 at 15.00 in room 212cB (same room as classes). Remember that although it's Wednesday the class schedule is the same as Friday.

The second is Friday, June 19 at 15.00 in room 212cB (same room as classes).

If you cannot be at either of these two sittings then don't panic. I'll be announcing other times and places as well, you will get a chance!

To facilitate things, I have set up a sign up sheet here.

Here is the link again:

Farris Elective Poll - Dokumenty Google

Third.

Due to scheduling issues, while you write the test in the back of the room, people in the front may be doing academic presentations, so be prepared for that eventuality.

środa, 10 czerwca 2026

Listening List for June 16, 2026

First, here are the notes for Roots of Rap!

poniedziałek, 8 czerwca 2026

Notes for 1950s, Motown and Soul

Okay, no lyrics this week, because that's not the point.

But I do have notes for old lessons:

Here are the notes for the 1950s (early rock 'n roll, vocal groups, doo wop and covers)

Here are the notes for Motown

Here are the notes for Soul Music

Notes for this week's class (on the roots of rap) are ready and will be posted on Wednesday.

See y'all in class!

piątek, 5 czerwca 2026

Listening List for June 09, 2026

Here's the listening list for this week. There probably won't be lyrics because..... too much work.... :(

NON-AFRICAN AMERICAN

Other uses of the word 'rap' in relation to speaking

Hippy style 'rap session' (not really, but as close as I could find, starts 3:50)
(from Mad Men, season 7, episode 14, 2015)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kPxLruTzHug

The Rapper
The Jaggers (1969)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WWcbKgEK_uM

Patter songs: the Music Man (1957, 1962 film)

Rock Island:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NiF1klsLM0o

Ya got trouble:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W2ySBtVLCYA

Pick a little: (from 1:40-1:50)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W2ySBtVLCYA

AFRICAN AMERICAN

Spoken cultural traditions

The Dozens
(from In Living Color)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yn5pbHxvChU

Signifying Monkey
(from Dolemite!)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Voxp3ckwJZ0

Double Dutch (early 1980s)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uRdwTxMeTL8

Black Preachers

Rev. C.L. Franklin (father of Aretha)
And he went a little farther (1960s) (start around 18:45)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zN3ilK_4_40

Rev. W.B. Smith
Watch them dogs (1986) (start around 31:30)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=edRP3HoWR3U

Funk

I feel good
James Brown (1966
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DlTRwnjFygU

Earth Wind and Fire
Shining star (1975)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vwc0AW67CmA

Early "raps"(spoken sections between or during songs)

Isaac's rap 2
Isaac Hayes (1972)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qfVbrPoLc3w

Woman's viewpoint
Irma Thomas (1973)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L_TYYhrWIxY

The Rap (interlude in If lovin' you is wrong (I don't wanna be right))
Millie Jackson (1974)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-G-UAsJ61Zs

Jamaica

Fire Corner (DJ)
King Stitt (1960s)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ts_sJbr1Mhc

Dread beat an' blood (dub)
Linton Kwesi Johnson
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uwDnb_u1-kg

Jazz poetry

The revolution will not be televized
Gil Scott Heron (1971)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QnJFhuOWgXg

Ego Tripping
Nikki Giovanni (1973)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nJPOBu8qp6M

Proto-rap

Here come the judge
Pigmeat Markham (1968)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NRS62nccwmw

Turn the beat around
Vicki Sue Robinson (1976) (short rap like section around 1:40)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TRSzZsQV5fc

Enter Sylvia Robinson

Sylvia
Pillow Talk (1973)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1JWWzerVfqE

Shirley and Company
Shame Shame Shame (1975)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VEJnK8nvlk4

First rap records

King Tim III (Personality jock)
Fatback band (1978)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ojQqAnlrW_M

Rapper's delight
Sugarhill gang (1978) (esp from 9.30 to 10.30)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tAnojTvyc0g