THE UNIVERSITY of TEXAS at AUSTIN UGS 302 Songwriting: Following in the Footsteps of Texas Legends Fall 2019 POLICY STATEMENT and SYLLABUS

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THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT AUSTIN UGS 302 Songwriting: Following in the Footsteps of Texas Legends Fall 2019 POLICY STATEMENT AND SYLLABUS

Instructor Teaching Assistant Professor Moore [email protected] Office hours: T 1 – 3:45 Or by appointment in the Cactus Café 512 413-8677

Class Meeting time: TTH 3:30 – 5 Class Meeting location: MAI 220A

Signature Course Mission: The Signature Courses at the University of Texas at Austin will connect students with distinguished faculty members in unique learning environments. By way of this rigorous intellectual experience, students will develop college-level skills in research, writing, speaking, and discussion through an approach that is both interdisciplinary and contemporary.

Course Description: Song is an art form that engages the mind, body, and creative spirit of listeners as well as musicians. Texas songwriters such as Willie Nelson, Townes Van Zandt, Guy Clark, and Nanci Griffith have written songs on their own terms rather than shape their art to fit the demands of Nashville, New York, or Los Angeles. Outside the mainstream of country or popular music, this unique community of artists is a wellspring of iconoclastic creativity. This course allows you not only to study that group, but also to join it as songwriters yourselves. The course will follow two primary tracks. The first will involve analysis and study of songs by Texas songwriters. The second track will work like a creative writing workshop with students writing songs and critiquing each other's songs.

Course Objectives: The objectives of the class are to teach students to • analyze and think critically about songs; • find and use credible sources for academic research; • understand the tools that songwriters use to craft songs; and • write and revise original songs.

Signature Course Essentials: Information Literacy: One of the major assignments in the course is a research project on a Texas songwriter or a trend in Texas music. This project is an academic research project and requires students to collect credible sources and synthesize information from those sources into a responsible presentation of the research.

Writing: Because one significant focus of UGS Courses is communication skills, the major assignments in the class are assignments that help students develop analytical and creative skills as writers. These assignments include freewriting exercises, reflection papers, an analysis of a song, an annotated bibliography on, and four songs.

Oral Communication: The class depends on respectful discussion of the readings and songs we are studying. Students will do a formal oral presentations will include a presentation to the class on a research project and present of original songs to the class.

University GEMS: One goal of the Signature Course program is to introduce first-year students to the world-class resources, such as the Harry Ransom Center, the LBJ Library, and the Blanton Museum, available to them at the University of Texas. We will fulfill this requirement in two ways. 1. We will have class in the Blanton Museum on October 22 2. In addition, you are required to attend at least one musical performance or open mic at the Cactus Cafe. Jeremy or I will be at the open mic. You should make sure we know you’re there. You need to turn in a brief description of the open mic or performance you attend that includes a list of six performers and the titles of at least three songs that were performed,

University Lecture Series: Signature Course students are required to attend a lecture on campus. This requirement gives students an opportunity to interact with leading members of our institution — nationally and internationally renowned scholars, scientists, artists, and civic leaders. You should make plans to attend the following lecture: Defendant…How Do You Plead? A Look Into the American Justice System Dr. Jim Patton, Department of Special Eduation; Prof. Jordan Steiker, School of Law; Dr. Mary Rose, Department of Sociology Sept. 23 | 7-8 p.m. | Bass Concert Hall If you are unable to attend, you must listen to the tape of the lecture and take a short quiz over the lecture.

Required Listening • Townes Van Zandt Live at the Old Quarter • Listening List compiled by instructor Reading Required: • Pattison, Pat. (2009) Writing Better Lyrics. Writers Digest Books: Cincinnati, OH. • Lyrics to songs on the Listening List • You will occasionally need to download the lyrics and chords to particular songs from one of the many resources on the web such as UltimateGuitar (http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/0 or CowboyLyrics (http://www.cowboylyrics.com/index.html). • Other readings will be handed out in class or posted on Canvas. Recommended: • Strunk, W., Jr. (1999). The Elements of Style. (Original work published 1918) Retrieved from http://www.bartleby.com/141/.

I recommend purchasing the songs on the Listening List from ITunes, but you can also listen to them on YouTube and may benefit from finding different performances

of the same song. You should read the lyrics (which will be posted on Canvas) and listen to each song. You are expected to keep up with reading and listening assignments so that you can participate in class discussion.

ASSIGNMENTS The course will include the writing assignments described below: 1. Homework/in-class exercises/informal assignments/reflection papers: Included in this category are object writing exercises, worksheets, peer critiques of other students’ songs, a description of the performance you attend, and a personal reflection on a song that had a powerful effect on you. Other homework assignments to be announced. 2. Reflection papers and in class writing Included in this category is a personal reflection on a song that had a powerful effect and an analysis of why. 3. Quizzes. You will have quizzes over Townes Van Zandt Live at the Old Quarter, the Listening List, and the readings. 4. Essay analyzing a song on the listening list. You will analyze a song (or songs) and write a thesis-driven essay in which you use close reading of the song to gather specific evidence to support your argument. You will be given a list of songs from the listening list that you can use for this assignment. You can propose another song by one of the writers on the Listening List if you have a good thesis to pursue. 5. Research presentation and annotated bibliography. You will work in a team to research a Texas songwriter or some trend in or historical aspect of Texas songwriting. From this research the group will create an annotated bibliography. Each student will contribute a summary of at least five sources. The team will make an oral presentation to the class summarizing the research. You will be required to create a PowerPoint presentation in which sources are properly cited and listed in the bibliography. 6. Song portfolio. The portfolio will include lyrics of at least four original songs. One of these will be inspired by a piece of art. One of these will be a song co-written with another student in the class. Two of the songs must be fully realized, set to music, recorded, and performable for the class. The portfolio will include pre-writing exercises, the first draft, a copy of all the peer critiques you received on the song, revisions, and recordings of at least two songs. You need to make a significant revision of at least one of the songs and write an explanation of what was useful in the peer critiques, what you revised, and why you made the artistic choices you made. We will have a show at the end of the semester. Each student will perform one of the songs he/she has written during the semester. The performance is a required part of the portfolio. The portfolio will be graded on the basis of how seriously students have taken the writing process from pre-writing to revision and finally to performance.

GRADING Your course grade will be based on your grades on written assignments and oral presentations. To pass the course, you must submit assignments before semester's end. I will not give any incompletes. Final course grades will be weighted as follows:

Homework/Exercises/Peer Critiques/Reflection Papers 20% Quizzes 10% Essay 20% Research Project 20% Songwriting Portfolio 30%

Class Policies: Cell phones and computers: Two rules concerning the technology that enriches our lives: 1. Turn your cell phones off in class. 2. Turn the computer off if you are not using it to take notes or use it for a specific in-class assignment. I know it’s tempting to check your email, do a little social networking, and just keep up your multi-tasking skills, but please turn the computers off unless we’re doing a writing or research activity involving computers. Attendance: Attendance is required. If you miss more than three classes your grade may be lowered.

University Policies: Religious holy days: A student who misses classes or other required activities, including examinations, for the observance of a religious holy day should inform the instructor as far in advance of the absence as possible, so that arrangements can be made to complete an assignment within a reasonable time after the absence. Students with Disabilities: Please notify your instructor of any modification/adaptation you may require to accommodate a disability-related need. You may find out more information on the Services for Students with Disabilities website: http://diversity.utexas.edu/disability/ and/or http://diversity.utexas.edu/disability/how-to-register-with-ssd/

Policy on Scholastic Dishonesty: Students who violate University rules on scholastic dishonesty are subject to disciplinary penalties, including the possibility of failure in the course and/or dismissal from the University. Since such dishonesty harms the individual, all students and the integrity of the University, policies on scholastic dishonesty will be strictly enforced. For further information, please visit the Office of Student Conduct and Academic Integrity website at http://deanofstudents.utexas.edu/conduct/.

Use of E-mail for Official Correspondence to Students: All students should be familiar with the University’s official e-mail student notification policy. It is the student’s responsibility to keep the University informed as to changes in his or her e-mail address. Students are expected to check e-mail on a frequent and regular basis in order to stay current with University-related communications, recognizing that certain communications may be time-critical. The complete text of this policy and instructions for updating your e-mail address are available at http://www.utexas.edu/its/policies/emailnotify.html .

University of Texas Honor Code: “As A Student Of The University Of Texas At Austin, I Shall Abide By The Core Values Of The University And Uphold Academic Integrity.”

CONFERENCES Jeremy and I will hold office hours every week. If the scheduled times are inconvenient, please ask for an appointment. You should make time to meet with us to discuss any concerns you have about the course in general or about a particular assignment.

UGS 302 Songwriting: Listening List 1. Waiting for a Train Jimmie Rogers 2. Texas, 1947 Guy Clark 3. Georgia on a Fast Train Billy Joe Shaver 4. Desperados Waiting for a Train Guy Clark 5. Boxcars Butch Hancock 6. Cotton Lightnin Hopkins 7. Jesus Was Our Savior Billy Joe Shaver 8. Cotton Sam Baker 9. Texas Trilogy: Bosque County Romance Steve Fromholtz 10. Love at the Five and Dime Nanci Griffith 11. San Antonio Rose Bob Wills 12. Dallas Jimmie Dale Gilmore 13. Beaumont Hayes Carll 14. Houston Johann Wagner 15. Levelland James McMurtry 16. Corpus Christi Bay Robert Earl Keen 17. Gallo del Cielo Tom Russell 18. The West Side of Town Tish Hinojosa 19. El Coyote Guy Clark 20. The Other Texas David Rodriguez 21. When I Heard Gypsy Davy Sing Carrie Rodriguez 22. It’s a Hard Life Nanci Griffith 23. We Can’t Make it Here James McMurtry 24. London Homesick Blues Gary P Nunn 25. Choctaw Bingo James McMurty 26. If I Had A Pony Lyle Lovett 27. If I Were a Bluebird Butch Hancock 28. Mr. Bojangles Jerry Jeff Walker 29. The Road Goes on Forever Robert Earl Keen 30. Feeling Good Again Robert Earl Keen 31. Baby, Please Don’t Go Lightnin Hopkins 32. Love Me Like a Song Kimmie Rhodes 33. World Without Tears Lucinda Williams 34. Roots and Wings Carrie Elkin 35. Company of Friends Danny Schmidt 36. Naomi Libby Koch 37. Daddy Said Nanci Griffith 38. Mama Said Ruthie Foster 39. If I Were the Man You Wanted Lyle Lovett 40. Travelin’ Soldier Bruce Robison 41. Leaving Amarillo Chuck Hawthorne 42. I'm Just An Old Chunk Of Coal Billy Joe Shaver 43. Wide Open Spaces Susan Gibson 44. That'll Be the Day Buddy Holly 45. Just a Wave Not the Water Butch Hancock 46. A Dangerous Thing Katie Gosnell 47. Crazy Willie Nelson 48. Hello Walls Willie Nelson 49. Beat the Devil Kris Kristofferson 50. Live Forever Billy Joe Shaver

SCHEDULE

Wk Focus Prepare for class Assignments due 1 Th Introductions 8/29 2 Tu Analyzing Listen to TVanZandt Live at the Old HW: Write a 1-to- 2-page analysis of a 9/3 songs: criteria Quarter (TVZ). song that had a powerful effect on you. of evaluation On Canvas upload a copy of the lyrics to your song and a link to a video of it. Th Read Quiz: Over Didion. • Didion “Why I Write” HW:Take one song on TVZ Live at the http://www.idiom.com/~rick/html/why_i_write.htm Old Quarter (except Pancho and Lefty). • Handout on song structure Outline the structure and describe the • Ch. 1, 2 Writing Better Lyrics (WBL) perspective.

3 Tu Analyzing • Ch. 3, 10 WBL Quiz: Over TVZ and songs 1-20. Essay 9/10 songs: • Listen to songs 1 - 20 on the song list. question on Pancho and Lefty structure and • Read lyrics of Pancho and Lefty HW: Describe song structure and perspective perspective of any song on the Listening List except Pancho and Lefty Th Analyzing • Read Ch 4 (WBL) TBA (To be announced) songs: • Listen to songs 20 – 50 on the song list. metaphor 4 Tu Analyzing • Read Ch 5 (WBL) Quiz: On reading and the listening list. 9/17 songs in an HW: Choose 1 song from the listening essay list. Write ½-to-1- page description of the perspective and use of metaphors

Th Guest • Read Ch 6, 7 (WBL) HW: Write one thoughtful question songwriter: Review links on guest songwriter; listen you’d like to ask Butch Hancock Butch to recommended songs. Hancock 5 Tu Analyzing 9/23 Attend University Lecture. 7-8 HW: (for those who do not attend the If 9/24 songs: p.m. | Bass Concert Hall you cannot attend University Lecture Cliches Defendant…How Do You Plead? A you must watch the lecture before Look Into the American Justice System. October 1. You must write a one-page summary of the lecture which is due on October 3.. Th Object • Read Ch 8,9 (WBL) In class: Object writing and worksheet Writing 6 Tu Guest Review links on guest songwriter; Essay on song analysis due. 10/1 Songwriter: listen to recommended songs. Write one meaningful question for Walt Walt Wilkins Wilkins. Th Research: Meet in Library If you didn’t attend the University Using PCL Learning Lab 4 Lecture, your summary of the lecture is Sources due today. 7 Tu Research: Red Chs 11 - 13, (WBL) HW: List of sources you collected in the 10/8 Writing a library for your Profile profile Th Research: To be announced (TBA) TBA Writing a profile

8 Tu Presentation Profile Presentation Annotated Bibliography and copy of 10/15 PowerPoint slides for the Profile Presentation are due Th Presentation Profile Presentation 9 Tu Writing Meet in the Blanton Museum Personal memoir song lyrics due. At 10/22 songs: least 2 verses and a chorus about a Using the member of your family or a place. Turn tools in your free writing and a song lyric worksheet with this assignment. Th Guest Read Chs 13 – 14, (WBL) Ekphrastic song lyrics due. At least 2 Songwriter: Review links on guest songwriter; listen verses and a chorus about a piece of art. Libby Koch to recommended songs. Turn in your free writing and a song lyric worksheet with this assignment. HW: Write one thoughtful question you’d like to ask Libby Koch. 10 Tu Writing full Read Chs 15 -17, (WBL) 10/29 songs with melody Th Guest Review links on guest songwriter; listen HW: Write one thoughtful question Songwriter: to recommended songs. you’d like to ask Johann Wagner Johann Wagner 11 Tu Song Doctor Read Chs 18 -19, (WBL) 11/5 Th Guest Review links on guest songwriter; listen HW: Write one thoughtful question Songwriter: to recommended songs. you’d like to ask Walt Wilkins Walt Wilkins 12 Tu Song TBA First song due. 11/12 Workshop Students will play their songs and receive feedback from the class. Th Song TBA Students will play their songs and Workshop -- receive feedback from the class. continued 13 Tu Guest Review links on guest songwriter; listen HW: Write one thoughtful question 11/19 songwriter to recommended songs. you’d like to ask Chuck Hawthorne Chuck Hawthorne Th Co-writing Read Chs 24 and Appendix (WBL) 14 Tu Co-writing TBA 11/26 Th No Class -- Thanksgiving 15 Tu Song Co-written songs due. 12/3 Workshop Students will play co-written songs and receive feedback from the class. Th Song Students will play co-written songs and Workshop receive feedback from the class. Song portfolio due on Friday 12/6 Final Performance On a date to be determined we will gather for a performance. Each student will perform solo or with another student on at least one song. If we can’t find an earlier date that works we’ll do this during the Final Exam time reserved for this class – December 17, 2 to 5 p.m.