课程介绍：


American Culture and Expressions in Pop Songs
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Date: July 8-19, 2013
Instructor: Peng Zhao
Email:
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Course Description & Objectives
The instructor will guide the study and exploration of the American culture and language elements in pop songs. The class will research the artists, interpreting the songs. Students will voice their responses both orally and in writing. Students will have a good taste of how Americans express their thoughts and emotions in daily lives as reflected in the songs.
Course Organization
The class will be taught in English. All music resources will be on the instructor’s Sina Blog and Weibo. Each student will establish his/her own blog and weibo for the purpose of the class.
Each session will cover 3-4 songs. Students will be required to review the materials ahead of time, research on the artists and the song’s background information. Write comments on the instructor’s blog and weibo, be prepared to discuss your responses and feedbacks. Students will complete a creative writing assignment after each session. Each student will give a final presentation at the end of this course.
Course Schedule (Tentative)
7/9: Song Group 1
Give Your Heart a Break---Demi Lovato
Call Me Maybe---Carly Rae Jepsen
One That Got Away---Katy Perry
Numb---Usher

7/10: Song Group 2
Dark Side --- Kelly Clarkson
Sober --- Pink
50 Ways to Say Goodbye --- Train
Drive By --- Train
Ours --- Taylor Swift

7/11: Song Group 3
Firework --- Katy Perry
Love Story --- Taylor Swift
Love You Like a Love Song --- Selena Gomez
I Knew You Were Trouble --- Taylor Swift

7/12: Song Group 4
A New Day Has Come --- Celine Dion
Piano Man --- Billy Joel
Goodbye Yellow Brick Road --- Elton John
Sorry Seems to Be the Hardest Word --- Blue & Elton John

7/16: Song Group 5
We’re Never Ever Getting Back Again --- Taylor Swift
Wide Awake --- Katy Perry
Part of Me --- Katy Perry
Bruises --- Train & Ashley Monroe

7/17: Song Group 6
Hall of Fame --- The Script
Make in America --- Victoria Justice
Good Time --- Owl City & Carly Rae Jepsen
California Gurls --- Katy Perry

7/18: Song Group 7
Just the Way You Are --- Bruno Mars
Blue Night --- Michael Learns
Masterpiece --- Madonna
Hot n Cold --- Katy Perry

7/19: Presentations
Each student will make a presentation on his/her favorite song.
Student Requirements
Review materials ahead of each class, class participation, complete writing assignment, conduct a final presentation.
Grading Method
7 writing assignments, 7 points/each = 49 points
7 class participations, 3 points/each = 21
Blog & weibo comments = 15