POLS 365: Politics and Music
For their research paper, students designed their own question through which to analyse the various interactions between music and politics.
About the course: Entertainment forms of political communication such as music are very often neglected in research of political communication, although music has a long and varied association with politics. It has provided the soundtrack to political protest and been the object of political censorship; politicians have courted pop stars and pop stars have acted as politicians. This course examines the various interactions between music and politics. It analyses how music can contribute to our understanding of political thought and action, but also how it can affect people's political perceptions, attitudes, and behaviour.
Course coordinator: Dr Mona Krewel
Student work
For this research paper, students were able to create their own research question, which was (loosely) related to one of the topics covered in class to investigate.
Gabrielle Gunawan investigated representation in Hamilton and considered the societal and political impacts.
"The musical Hamilton addresses the societal issue of representation through diverse casting choices and incorporating history through movements. Hamilton as a musical became an expression of political identity regarding race and nationalism through “America now” telling the story of “America then”.
Azaria Howell investigated the band R.E.M and the political narrative of the band and their music.
"Music is sometimes perceived as an insignificant form of political communication in academia than traditional forms of communication. However, by showcasing R.E.M.’s ability to inform the public of current affairs and state political opinions, whilst receiving radio airplay, this essay proves that music can be used as an effective tool to spread political and ideological messages."
Tejas Menon investigated the censorship of rap, marginalisation of African Americans, and musicking.
"Censorship of rap music is a political tool used to marginalise African American communities in the United States of America. Censorship is defined as a tool used by the government to homogenise culture according to the hegemonic norms of society, while the sociological phenomena of othering explain how censorship sets the standards of appropriateness and, therefore, marginalises ethnic minorities by labeling their culture as inappropriate."
Zoe Tims investigated how music festivals act as identity-establishing and collective consciousness-raising events for attendees.
"Through culture, music becomes more than just thought within an individual. In the context of music festivals, it possesses a unique ability to trigger emotional and physical responses within its listeners, who can then share an experience with thousands of other people. The attendees of music festivals can therefore be a living symbol of what the music stands for."
Gwen Palmer-Steeds investigated the performance of gender in boy band music, looking at their lyrics, music, and music videos.
"The auditory and visual elements of boy band music construct gender in different ways. The lyrics portray hegemonic gender roles more explicitly, with themes of heterosexual monogamy, male pleasure, and gender binaries frequently in all three bands. The music videos appear to be more from the point of view of a female gaze than the lyrics, and heterosexual desire is explored in a safe and innocent way."
Kate MillsWorkman investigated feminism in American country music.
"In arguing against society's double standards for men and women, fighting for women's right to control over their own reproductive history and questioning the male-led narrative of history, all of the songs discussed offer different versions of what it means to be an authentic American southerner."