Research essay
Assignment: a 6-8000 word essay on a topic Soviet Folk and pop music
WORD COUNT
The following are NOT included in the word count:
Abstract
Footnotes (please keep these as brief as possible)
Bibliography
Please keep within the 6-8000 word limit.
structure
Introduction, in which you define ‘folk’n’pop’ and set out your arguments and methods, and give a literature review explaining what the current arguments about Soviet folk’n’pop are.
Discussion of Western popular music in the Soviet Union.
music that was banned, when and why
how pop music still managed to reach the country
pop musicians who were influenced by it.
Case study of a Soviet folk’n’pop group in which you explore features of the genre and think about links to politics.
Explanation of the ‘fall/decline’ of Soviet folk’n’pop. What happened to it after 1991? Did musicians change their style? Did they struggle to write songs without the messages of rebellion that had become common in the 1980s? Does anyone listen to this music now, even out of nostalgia?
Conclusion
Must present a clear argument, or define/relate to the terms of the title;
Specific footnotes from literature, primary and secondary sources (preferably more primary sources) . As I said before, you must cite the actual sources you’ve used, even if they’re general websites. It’d be better if you had read scholarly literature, but referencing accurately is much better than giving incorrect information;
All the information must be relevant to the topic
A clear sense of chronology.
