Potentially Offensive Music: Censor, Edit, or Warn?

• PRINT
• EMAIL

Nicole uses Philosophical Chair discussions to have students take a stand and debate an issue during this unit on music censorship.

This unit focuses on the censorship of music that may be considered offensive. Students will gain knowledge of the first amendment and the Parents Music Resource Center (PMRC) and analyze their roles in music censorship. Students will have multiple opportunities to voice their opinions and view, firsthand, the perspectives of others on the various forms of censorship.

OBJECTIVE

Students will:

• Analyze various forms of music censorship
• Write an effective position paper

LESSONS FOR THIS UNIT
Lesson 1: Philosophical Chairs Discussion
Lesson 2: Planning a Position Paper
Lesson 3: Writing Your Position Paper's Introduction
Lesson 4: Writing Your Position Paper's Body
Lesson 5: Writing Your Position Paper's Conclusion

REPRODUCIBLES
Lesson One: Philosophical Chairs Reflection Sheet (PDF)
Lesson One: Discussion Assessment Chart (PDF)
Lesson Two: Position Paper Rubric (PDF)
Lesson Two: Position Paper Assignment (PDF)
Lesson Two: Planning a Position Paper Presentation (PDF)
Lesson Three: Position Paper Mode (PDF)
Lesson Three: Writing an Introduction (PDF)
Lesson Four: Writing the Body of a Position Paper (PDF)
Lesson Five: Writing a Presentation Paper conclusion (PDF)

CULMINATING ACTIVITY

Students will write a position paper from the perspective of a music artist, a music store owner, or a parent. They must voice and support their position on the following topic from their chosen perspective: Should CDs that may be considered offensive contain warning labels?

SUPPORTING BOOKS

Books on Music Censorship

The following books focus on the censorship of music in America both today and historically.

Parental Advisory: Music Censorship in America

By Eric Nuzum

Description: This nonfiction text chronicles music that has been challenged by both the government and the American public from the Beatles to 80s rap group N.W.A.

Shoot the Singer: Music Censorship Today

By Marie Korpe

Description: This nonfiction text discusses the causes and rationale behind the government, corporate America, and religious group’s attempts to prevent people from listening to certain types of music.

Policing POP

By Martin Cloonan and Reebee Garofalo

Description: This collection of essays focuses on the various forms of censorship as well as the various attempts at restricting "popular music."

Taboo Tunes: A History of Banned Bands and Censored Songs

By Peter Blecha

Description: This book gives a somewhat humorous view of the various types of censorship occurring in America.

Opposing Viewpoint Series – Censorship

By Andrea C. Nakaya

Description: This fairly unbiased collection of essays promotes critical thought about the sensitive issues surrounding censorship.

Nicole Sledge is a READ 180 teacher for grades 8 through 10 at a New York City school.

• Teacher Store
• 

  The Teacher Store
  	Fiestas null $7.95 Paperback Book | Grades K-2

  
  Fiestas
  Grades K-2 $7.95
  
• Teacher Store
• 

  The Teacher Store
  	Look What Came from Egypt Each book in this elementary-level series explores, in a very simple fashion, the foods, words, inventions, toys, games and sports, religion, music, and crafts that a specific country has contributed to the world. $6.95 Paperback Book | Grades K-3

  
  Look What Came from Egypt
  Grades K-3 $6.95