• Make a list of events from 1959 through the 1960's.  You do not need to turn in the list, but it would be good to bring it with you to class for discussion, and it will be very helpful in doing the rest of this assignment.  The list should include historical, political, and cultural events.  For example:
  • Rock and Roll
  • Sock Hops
  • Drive-In Restaurants
  • Racial Integration
  • The Space Race
  • The Cold War
  • The Berlin Wall
  • Cuba - Castro
  • Assassinations (President Kennedy, Lee Harvey Oswald, Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr., Robert Kennedy)
  • The War in Vietnam
  • Race Riots
  • Hippies and Flower Children
  • Campus Protests
  • and many, many other things
• Write an essay describing why American Pie was a very popular song in the early 1970's, or describing what the lyrics mean (or seem to mean).  This essay should be in good form, with a title, a beginning, a middle, and an ending.  The beginning should state your case:  that "American Pie was popular because . . ." or "American Pie tells us . . .", or whatever you want to say.  The middle must use five (or more) references to the song to help you make your case.  The ending should tie it all together, and show that the middle supports the case which you made in the beginning.
• This may be typed or handwritten, but it must be neat, and in good form (good margins, your name, proper use of paragraphs, etc.)
• A paper that meets these criteria will receive at least a C.
• To receive at least a B, you must have some interesting things to tell the reader.  These can be little-known facts or your own opinion, but opinions should be backed with references to the lyrics.
• To receive an A, the paper should be exemplary -- it should be interesting, and the conclusion should be well supported by the rest of the paper.
• A paper turned in late (without a very good excuse) will receive one letter grade lower than it would otherwise deserve.
• A paper which is otherwise exemplary but which is difficult to read (poor penmanship, poor use of paragraphs, etc.) will receive no higher than a B.
• For any student who is not satisfied with the grade which I assign, I will reserve the right to offer an additional assignment for extra credit.  (An extra credit assignment is not automatic -- the right to try for extra credit must be earned through a good attitude and proper behavior in class.

This page updated 9 February 2005 at 15:30