A new class that launched this spring was a relevant and timely experience for some 91探花 students. With the nation debating its response to COVID-19 and witnessing protests against racial injustice and police violence, undergraduates enrolled in 鈥淰isual Anthropology of Protest Music鈥� examined how communities use music to share their lived experiences and confront oppression.
For their final project, each student researched and produced a music video ethnography exploring an issue important to them.聽A selection of student work can be seen in the videos below.
The online class, taught by 91探花anthropology lecturer Graham Pruss 鈥� who earned a doctorate from 91探花in 2019聽鈥� covered grassroots movements with a focus on folk, punk and folk-punk music from a visual anthropological perspective. Students examined audio, video and literature, as well as written and oral histories of English-language musical movements from the 1500s to today.
Classes featured guest speakers from the music industry 鈥斅爄ncluding members of Days N Daze, Chumbawamba, Fishbone, the Gr鈥檜ps, Tchkung, Butterflies of Death, Ludlow, Are They Brothers?, Bird Teeth, Viveka, Jim Page and more. The classes were recorded and posted to YouTube, and can be
Students also learned the basics of songwriting by deconstructing familiar examples such as “,” by Childish Gambino and “” by Richard Berry.聽Each student created original music as well as lyrics for a popular song by Days N Daze聽
The following selection of class projects is listed by video title and the name provided by the student who created it.
鈥榁iktor Tsoi, Folk Hero鈥� 鈥� by Gleb Olegovych Sych
This video about counterculture Russian singer Viktor Tsoi adds a personal touch with the video maker鈥檚 family sharing their聽personal experiences of Russia at that time.
鈥楻iot Grrrl鈥� 鈥� by Noelle Hardman
This video looks at the origins of the Riot Grrrl underground feminist punk movement, and how it influences music today. (Note: This video contains mature content)
鈥楿lulation鈥� 鈥� by Alvine
This video explores the phenomenon of ululation 鈥� a long, wavering high-pitched vocal sound 鈥� made around the world that is not well-known in western culture.
鈥極ppression and expression鈥� 鈥� by Karlee Darrell Ruffin
This video offers one man鈥檚 thoughts on Black cultural expression and music.