Assignments for this course take the form of written summaries, research, and analysis. They are designed to help us work through the course objectives, while keeping a focus on our spiritual growth through conceptual learning.

For each assignment, please develop a document and submit it to me in either Microsoft Word or HTML format (your word processing software should permit you to do a "save as" and choose either of those formats).

Each assignment can be completed by consulting Web-based materials listed on the course Resource page.

Assignment #1

Length: 4-5 pages
Applications:

• Read Part 1: Chapters 1-7.
• Music plays a significant role in life as recorded in the Bible.  The Bible talks about 3 types of song:

• psalms
• hymns
• spiritual songs

The goal of this exercise is to trace the initial development of Christian music and examine the difference between psalms, hymns and spiritual songs.  Provide comments to these questions along with your examination between psalms, hymns and spiritual songs:  Why does ‘vocal music’ make up the majority of Chrisitan/Gospel music?  How does your understanding of vocal music help you examine the difference between psalms, hymns and spiritual songs?   

Assignment #2

Length: 5-6 pages
Applications:

• Read Part 1: Chapters 8-13.
• For the first hundred years, religious music dominated in American culture; however, during the 18^th century popular music grew and established itself as the premier ‘secular’ influence in America. (Cusic)

For this assignment, you will investigate how secularism has affected the development and growth of Christian/Gospel Music.  You will also look into the role ethnicity plays in the development of Christian/Gospel Music.   Apply your knowledge from Assignment #1 to discuss how ‘secularism’ in music and the element of ethnicity have influenced Christian/Gospel Music.  Is it evident that there has been a developmental ‘evolution’ in Christian/Gospel Music? Why or why not?  How is Christian/Gospel music similar and different than popular music? How has ethnicity contributed to the development of Christian/Gospel Music? 

Assignment #3

Length: 5-6 pages
Applications:

• Read Part 2: Chapters 14-18.
• The 20^th Century introduced technological advancements for music and the arts more than any other time in history.  Recording technology particularly enhanced the growth and distribution of music to a full-fledged commercial enterprise.

Since we live in the technological–information age, we have become accustomed to the production of the popular arts with digital media. The goal of this assignment is to present an informative and persuasive commentary on the impact of recording technology in the development of Christian/Gospel music.  How has Christian/Gospel music changed as a result of the introduction of recording/digital technology?  How has recording technology created more opportunities for various genres within Christian/Gospel music such as Black Gospel and Southern Gospel?   

Assignment #4

Length: 5-6 pages
Applications:

• Read Part 3: Chapters 19-27
• After WWII, Christian/Gospel Music entered the ‘mainstream’ of American culture and largely due to the advancements of recording technology.
• Christian/Gospel music played important roles in tent meetings, crusades and political causes and events.

For this assignment, discuss the ways in which Christian/Gospel music has provided ‘a voice of light’ in American popular culture.  What part has the influence of Christian/Gospel music portrayed in American culture throughout the 1940s, 50s and 60s?  What is the message that Christian/Gospel music has given to American culture?  Do you think that Christian/Gospel music is a particularly American art form? Why or why not?    

Assignment #5 

Length: You determine what you want to say providing your critique and analysis is

            well-supported and documented where appropriate.

Applications:

• Read Part 4: Chapters 28-37
• For your final assignment, you may choose one of two projects:
  • Provide a detailed commentary on the Christian Contemporary Music (CCM) genre and its place in American popular culture.  Provide an analysis of the elements of CCM and compare its similarities and differences to secular popular music.  Use all the resources you want including specific song analyses and listening examples to support your views on CCM.
  • If, however, you do not choose the first exercise as your final project, you are welcome to write about a specific CCM artist examining his or her career and analyzing specific songs pertaining to the highlights of your chosen artist’s career.  When analyzing songs, you may want to obtain the actual sheet music and look at the compositional structure as well as listening to the recording to examine the arrangement.  Since many CCM artists consider their music as a ‘ministry,’ you may want to discuss how their Christian faith guides their songwriting and artistry.  What makes the music of a CCM artist similar and different from his or her secular counterparts?