Questions on Carvalho

Reading

(1) assignments appear in the syllabus on the day assigned, not the day due

(2) You must submit your written work by blackboard

(3) BE SURE TO FOLLOW THE FILE-NAMING CONVENTIONS FOR THIS COURSE (5% penalty if you do not).

All files should be saved on your computer as: your last name, followed by an underscore ("_"), followed by the first two letters of your first name, followed by an underscore ("_"), followed by the assignment number. So if a student named Saddam Hussein were to submit assignment number 6, the file name would be:

hussein_sa_6.doc

THIS IS ASSIGNMENT 6

1) In the introductory paragraph to this chapter, Carvalho identifies his goal and his methodology. In particular, he hopes to contrast two social phenomena (and the musical forms that go along with those two phenomena).

A) Please summarize these two phenomena IN YOUR OWN WORDS. Look for language that may tip you off. It's helpful to recognize that the two phenomena represent an older and more recent version of the same thing.

B) Please summarize what Carvalho says he hopes to accomplish with this chapter and how he says he will go about accomplishing his goals.

2) Please explain the "aesthetics of opacity" (p. 190). According to Carvalho, how does the aesthetics of opacity help foster concilliation between the "social sponsors" and the "devotees." Summarize in your own words and only your own words.

3) Why is Umbanda problematic for groups either trying to keep or foster differences between blacks and whites in Brazil? What is a "Preto Velho" and why is it important to umbanda, macumba, and the like?

4) What is the departure, as Carvalho see it, by popular music from traditional music in its pursuit of "black pride?" There are changes in attitude and in musical characteristics. Be sure to read through page 200 and look for Carvalho's evidence.

5) Please explain "aestheticized difference" (p. 203) and why it is important to Afro-Brazilian popular music.

6) Transcribe the lyrics for "Brazil_Tk1" (located on blackboard). If you don't know Portugeuse, transcribe phonetically--so, don't worry about spelling. Hint: There will be verses that are different and a chorus that repeats. Do both!

Extra Credit: In what way might Ferguson be able to utilize the concept of "aestheticized difference" to bolster one or all of the principles of his argument: 1) ethnic conflict; 2) dissolving empires; 3) economic volatility.