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Analyze the elements of music as they pertain to Black American music
Assessment Strategies
Listening Journal, Written Product, and/or Exam
Criteria
Identify core musical elements such as melody, harmony, rhythm, form, timbre, dynamics, and texture with accuracy
Apply musical vocabulary correctly and consistently
Describe how these elements function within a specific style (e.g., blues, gospel, funk)
Explain connections between musical elements and cultural or historical context
Written responses are clear, organized, and supported by musical examples
Demonstrate attention to detail when describing sound (e.g., using terms like syncopation, call-and-response, etc.)
Analysis is original and avoids generic or vague language
Journal responses reflect thoughtful listening and interpretation
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Aurally recognize the fundamental elements of music
Assessment Strategies
Listening Journal, Written Product, and/or Exam
Criteria
Identify (aurally) basic musical elements of various styles
Listen effectively, giving attention to sound
Journal responses address the given issue or question
Journal responses are original
Journal responses are clearly written
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Write research papers addressing themes within Black American musical styles
Assessment Strategies
Written Product (Research Paper)
Criteria
Topic relates to the history of Black American music
Use the tools of historical inquiry
Paper includes a thesis statement which defends why this artist should be included in discourse of Black American music (popularity, influence on other musicians, style, etc.)
Paper is supported by musical evidence (lyrics, instrumentation, rhythms, melodies, texture, etc.)
Paper is supported by historical evidence (geographical info [origins, local scene], political ideology, audience information, training of the musicians)
Paper includes primary or secondary resources (what do newspaper reviews say about these performers, what magazines wrote about them, etc.)
Paper includes body paragraphs that effectively divide the main idea/thesis statement into logical sections
Paper includes an effective conclusion
References are cited according to the Research Paper Guidelines
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Evaluate the stylistic creation of a current Black American song
Assessment Strategies
Essay
Criteria
Essay includes the song title, artist’s name, and year of release
Essay includes music released between 2010-2024 that represents hip-hop (or related genre)
Describe at least three interesting and/or unique musical features of your specific songs
Trace the influences of your song through two different decades (pre-2010)
Describe features typical for the period and/or features that were unique but notable during the period
Conclusion highlights the musical changes that occurred over time
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Examine the musical impulses (blues, gospel and jazz) of postwar Black American music
Assessment Strategies
Listening Journal, Written Product, and/or Exam
Criteria
Identify at least two distinguishing characteristics of postwar Black American music (such as lyrics, melody, harmony, rhythm, form, timbre and/or an innovative aspect of the song)
Describe in detail the characteristics
Responses are objective (fact-based)
Use appropriate musical vocabulary
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Trace the historical development of Black American musical styles in the 20th century
Assessment Strategies
Listening Journal, Written Product, and/or Exam
Criteria
Outline the chronological progression of major Black American musical styles
Identify key artists, recordings, innovations, and stylistic features associated with each era
Explain how social, political and technological changes influenced the evolution of each style
Draw clear connections between musical genres and their historical roots, noting continuities and departures
Use accurate terminology to describe musical features and shifts in sound or structure
Support claims with musical and historical examples (specific songs, artists, movements or events)
Identify regional variations (e.g., Chicago blues vs. Delta blues, East Coast vs. West Coast hip-hop)
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Examine the role of Black American music in cultural, political and social movements
Assessment Strategies
Listening Journal, Written Product, and/or Exam
Criteria
Identify specific movements (e.g., Civil Rights Movement, Black Power, Black Lives Matter) and the role music played within them
Analyze how musical works served as tools for protest, empowerment, community solidarity or resistance
Connect songs and artists to broader political or cultural messages with clarity and depth
Support analysis with relevant musical examples (lyrics, performances, recordings, etc.)
Recognize the historical impact of individual artists or collectives in shaping public discourse
Discuss how music was used to mobilize communities, influence opinion or challenge social norms
Explain the risks and responsibilities artists carried when engaging in activism
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Explore the effect of major events in American history on the development of Black American music
Assessment Strategies
Listening Journal, Written Product, and/or Exam
Criteria
Use relevant historical details accurately (dates, figures, locations, legislation, etc.)
Connect specific historical events to musical developments, shifts in style, or thematic content in Black American music
Describe how social, political and economic contexts shaped the music, artists, or movements
Support analysis with specific musical examples (songs, albums, or artists) that reflect the impact of those events
Demonstrate critical thinking by explaining cause-and-effect relationships
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Explore the relationship between Black American music, African American history and the history of race and ethnicity in the United States
Assessment Strategies
Listening Journal, Written Product, and/or Exam
Criteria
Analyze how Black American music reflects and responds to the lived experiences of African Americans
Connect musical movements or artists to broader historical and racial contexts (e.g., segregation, systemic racism, cultural pride, Black nationalism, etc.)
Identify the role of music as a form of resistance, identity formation or community building
Incorporate specific musical and historical examples to support claims (songs, lyrics, performances, historical figures, legislation, etc.)
Analyze issues of representation, appropriation and access within the music industry and society at large
Demonstrate sensitivity to complex social dynamics without reducing topics to stereotypes or overgeneralizations
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Analyze the functions of Black American music within American culture
Assessment Strategies
Listening Journal, Written Product, and/or Exam
Criteria
Identify multiple social, cultural and/or political functions of Black American music (e.g., protest, celebration, storytelling, healing, community building, commercial success)
Analyze how specific songs or styles have operated within American society at different points in history with concrete examples from music, including lyrical content, genre characteristics, artist interviews or performances
Investigate how music has both shaped and reflected American cultural values and debates
Examine the dual role of Black American music as both artistic expression and cultural/political commentary
Written work is coherent, logically organized, and includes a clearly stated argument or perspective
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Explore the role artists play in musical communication
Assessment Strategies
Listening Journal, Written Product, and/or Exam
Criteria
Articulate how artists use musical elements (lyrics, rhythm, instrumentation, delivery, etc.) to convey messages, emotions or social commentary
Identify the intentional choices artists make to connect with specific audiences or communicate cultural identity
Describe the artist’s role not only as a performer but also as a storyteller, activist, innovator or cultural critic
Recognize how communication may vary across genres, time periods and platforms (live performance, recordings, social media, etc.)
Relate the artist’s background, identity and/or lived experience to their communicative style