Springsteen, a Three-Minute Song, a Life of Learning
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Springsteen, A Three-Minute Song, A Life of Learning by Jin Thindal M.Ed., University of Sheffield, 1992 Thesis Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy in the Curriculum Theory and Implementation Program Faculty of Education © Jin Thindal 2019 SIMON FRASER UNIVERSITY Fall 2019 Copyright in this work rests with the author. Please ensure that any reproduction or re-use is done in accordance with the relevant national copyright legislation. Approval Name: Jin Thindal Degree: Doctor of Philosophy Title: Springsteen, A Three-Minute Song, A Life of Learning Examining Committee: Chair: Lynn Fels Professor Celeste Snowber Senior Supervisor Professor Allan MacKinnon Supervisor Associate Professor Michael Ling Internal Examiner Senior Lecturer Walter Gershon External Examiner Associate Professor School of Teaching, Learning & Curriculum Studies Kent State University Date Defended/Approved: December 9, 2019 ii Abstract This dissertation is an autobiographical and educational rendering of Bruce Springsteen’s influence on my life. Unbeknownst to him, Bruce Springsteen became my first proper ‘professor.’ Nowhere near the confines of a regular classroom, he opened the door to a kind of education like nothing I ever got in my formal schooling. From the very first notes of the song “Born in the U.S.A.,” he seized me and took me down a path of alternative learning. In only four minutes and forty seconds, the song revealed how little I knew of the world, despite all of my years in education, being a teacher, and holding senior positions. Like many people, I had thought that education was gained from the school system. One song changed everything. It made me question the very definition of education and what it means to be educated. This work, through life writing, examination of lived experience and deep sustained reflection, represents my educational journey. It describes my ‘other’ education, the kind of learning discovered through my passion for the music of Springsteen and the lyrics and delivery of his songs. I unpack these experiences of life and learning in terms of contemporary educational literature and dis-courses. This allows me to interpret how my ‘other’ education was formed in light of Springsteen, his songs, live performances and some of his observations. I make a case in this dissertation for the contribution of popular song as a potent force for learning and transformation. I aim to open the door to further the potential for rock and popular music in educational practice. Keywords: Springsteen; Born in the U.S.A; Lived experience; Arts; War; Life Writing; Schooling iii Dedication To my parents Mr. Charan S. Thindal and Mrs. Gurdip K. Thindal, who moved countries and continents, first from India to England for me and my older sister, and then from England to Canada for my two younger sisters, to provide their children with the best possible education. Wherever you are looking down from, Mum and Dad, this is for you. This is also dedicated to my boys, Sacha and Andreas. If I have done nothing of consequence with my time on earth, bringing you both home was, by far, the best thing I ever did. Finally, to Carolline, my life partner and wife, whose patience I tested beyond any norm with my overindulgence in this work, whose love and commitment to our little family shone above anything else. May your reward(s) now begin. iv Acknowledgements My deepest gratitude and highest respect go to two of the best educationists I have ever come across, my Senior Supervisor Dr. Celeste Snowber and Committee Member Dr. Allan MacKinnon. Not only have you both guided me extremely well, but also countless others. Your patience, kindness and generosity with your time and understanding in general, and particularly with this work, is a lesson to all educators. You both have restored my faith in the work of education. Your way of being with graduate and post- graduate students is a valuable lesson to all who work in the field. You are both so inspirational and have no idea how grateful I am that I came across you. I thank you from the depths of my heart, not only for the painstaking guidance in this work, but also as a way of being in the world. v Table of Contents Approval ............................................................................................................................ ii Abstract ............................................................................................................................. iii Dedication ........................................................................................................................ iv Acknowledgements ........................................................................................................... v Table of Contents ............................................................................................................. vi List of Figures.................................................................................................................. viii Chapter 1. Introduction and Awakening .................................................................... 1 1.1. Introduction ............................................................................................................. 1 1.2. Awakening ............................................................................................................... 6 Chapter 2. Beginnings ............................................................................................... 14 2.1. Before Education ................................................................................................... 14 2.2. Rocky Start ............................................................................................................ 16 2.3. Becoming .............................................................................................................. 21 2.4. Lesson in the West ................................................................................................ 25 2.5. Another Lesson ..................................................................................................... 27 Chapter 3. Art, Music and Enlightenment ................................................................ 34 3.1. Art .......................................................................................................................... 34 3.2. Music ..................................................................................................................... 38 Chapter 4. Lessons .................................................................................................... 41 4.1. Lesson for Life ....................................................................................................... 41 4.2. Corrected .............................................................................................................. 44 4.3. Formal Education .................................................................................................. 48 4.4. Another Side of Education .................................................................................... 52 Chapter 5. Education ................................................................................................. 59 5.1. Schooling .............................................................................................................. 59 5.2. The Educated ........................................................................................................ 66 Chapter 6. Power of Song ......................................................................................... 72 6.1. The Lunch Break ................................................................................................... 72 6.2. Springsteen ........................................................................................................... 85 6.3. Wembley ............................................................................................................... 95 6.4. Birmingham ......................................................................................................... 101 6.5. Enter Nebraska ................................................................................................... 113 6.6. The Nebraska Story ............................................................................................ 117 6.7. Before Springsteen ............................................................................................. 122 6.8. The Vinyl Years ................................................................................................... 124 Chapter 7. The ‘Other’ Education Learning .......................................................... 126 7.1. Falklands War ..................................................................................................... 132 vi 7.2. Fourth of July ...................................................................................................... 134 7.3. Haunted Heroes .................................................................................................. 136 7.4. Vietnam: The Camera at War ............................................................................. 139 7.5. Vietnam: Learning in Real Time .......................................................................... 148 7.6. Vietnam: A Lesson Like No Other ....................................................................... 162 Chapter 8. Revelations ...........................................................................................