For this assessment, you will be performing a textual analysis of protest songs. Textual analysis is used to create social theory: words from a cultural artifact are analyzed in depth to illustrate elements from that culture. In this case, you will be analyzing song lyrics in order to see if there are any differences between protest songs from the 1960s and protest songs today, and if those differences may illustrate larger differences between the 1960s and today. To complete this assignment, you must choose one protest song from the 1960s and one protest song from within the last 5 years. For each song, you will locate at least three themes identified by the lyrics of the song and then compare/contrast these themes.
List and describe the two songs chosen for this assignment. State the title, artist, genre, and what the song is protesting.
Protest songs are often reflective of social movements. Identify the social movement attached to each song. What stage is the chosen social movement currently in? (a 1960s movement can be in emergence again, or decline, or even no longer exist)
Locate at least three themes in each song. Illustrate each theme with quotes from the lyrics. How well do these themes connect with the associated social movements?
Compare and contrast these themes using quotes from the lyrics again to illustrate each theme and show differences from the 1960s to today.
Has either song helped the social movement be successful in its goals? Why or why not? If not, what has to happen for your social movement to find success?
Summarize your findings in a concluding paragraph.
Sample Solution