COLL 120: MUSIQUE WITH A MESSAGE
Fall 2024 · Section 001 · CRN 16998
Among cries for social change, some ask, are artists doing enough? We ask in return, what have they done? Designed for anyone interested in Francophone society or creative writing for social justice, this English-taught course explores language’s social change potential through 'le rap conscient', a socially and linguistically significant Francophone music genre that holds up a mirror to society to encourage social change. With selected works from artists of diverse backgrounds, we will discuss the artist and the work’s social/historical context, symbolism and meaning, and ways artists play with words and language structures. We will also discuss the genre’s broader linguistic significance and contributions to social progress. There are no exams and no *home*work other than occasional small reflections and the final project, where students create their own multilingual rap conscient with the optional help of ChatGPT. All other class-related work is reflective and designed to be completed in class, though students are always welcome to explore course-related questions more deeply between classes and share findings. Linking language learning with the communicative intent of 'le rap conscient', we consider our essential question: How can understanding 'le rap conscient' and its various roles help us envision a just world?
- Credits
- 1
- Instructors
- Paige Matthys-Pearce