A Lyrical Expression of Women’s Work Experience

Readings

• Ensler, E. (2013). In the body of the world [PDF]. New York, NY: Henry Holt & Company. Retrieved from http://inthebodyoftheworld.com/pdf/EveEnsler-InTheBodyOfTheWorld-Excerpt.pdf

  This excerpt, assigned in Week 1, will be a reference for the Week 2 Assignment as well. As you review this very personal narrative, consider the dynamics of the work in a broader sense as it aligns with Ensler’s role as writer and public speaker.

• Campo, N. (2009). ‘Feminism failed me’: Childcare, maternity leave and the denigration of motherhood. Australian Feminist Studies, 24(61), 325–342.

  Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.

  This article provides a perspective related to work outside of the home and motherhood as full-time work. This article can be used to inform this week’s Discussion.

• Carpenter-Aeby, T., & Aeby, V. (2009). Rewriting family stories during successful transition from an alternative school: One student’s story of “violent female” to “phenomenal woman.” Journal of Human Behavior in the Social Environment, 19(3), 281–297.

  Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.

  This article is a case study that incorporates the literary forms of both biography and autobiography. This article is analyzed for this week’s Application Assignment.

• Ron, P. (2009). Daughters as caregivers of aging parents: The shattering myth. Journal of Gerontological Social Work, 52(2), 135–153.

  Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.

  This article examines the experience of women in the position of caretaker for both parents and children. This article can be used to inform this week’s Discussion.

• Truth, S. (1999). Look at me! Ain’t I a woman? New Crisis, 106(1), 31.

  Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.

  This speech highlights the different experiences of white and black women as it relates to women’s rights and experiences with work. Please note that Truth’s words/speech are classified as personal narrative (a kind of literature), which includes autobiography. This speech is examined in this week’s Discussion and Application Assignment.

• Walden University. (2015b). APA style: Overview. Retrieved from http://academicguides.waldenu.edu/writingcenter/apa
• Walden University. (2015e). Writing center. Retrieved from http://academicguides.waldenu.edu/writingcenter/home
• Document: Glossary of Terms and Techniques for Literature and Creative Writing (PDF)

  This resource provides support in analyzing various forms of literature. Use this to identify elements of style and apply literary terms to assignments.

Media

• Laureate Education (Producer). (2015). Women’s voices and social change [Interactive media]. Baltimore, MD: Author.

  With this week’s content on women in work in mind, review the brief biographies of Eve Ensler, Sojourner Truth, Natasha Campo, Pnina Ron, and Tracy Carpenter-Aeby, noting the placement of each in the timeline continuum.

Optional Resources

Song Lyric Search Resources

• The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers. (2015). Retrieved from http://www.ascap.com/
• Broadcast Music. (2015). Retrieved from http://www.bmi.com/
• SongLyrics. (n.d.). Retrieved September 27, 2015, from http://www.songlyrics.com/

Songs

• Ashford, N., & Simpson, V. (1978). I’m every woman [Recorded by C. Khan]. On Chaka [Record]. Burbank, CA: Warner Bros Records.
• Hamer, F. L. (1997). Walk with me Lord. On Voices of the Civil Rights Movement: Black American freedom songs 1960–1966 [MP3]. Washington, DC: Smithsonian Folkways Recordings.
• Sweet Honey in the Rock. (1988). More than a paycheck. On Breaths [MP3]. Chicago, IL: Flying Fish.

Web resources in support of this week’s topic

• Bazelon, E. (2009). The place of women on the court. New York Times Magazine. Retrieved from http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/12/magazine/12ginsburg-t.html
• CNN. (2011). Clinton says no to second term. Retrieved from http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2011/03/16/clinton-running-for-president/
• Obamathon. (2009, April 29). Cicely Tyson “Ain’t I a woman?” [Video file]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-0YR1eiG0us

  Actor Cicely Tyson presents “Ain’t I a woman?” at a Congressional Tribute to Sojourner Truth. Presentations of this speech by other actors may also be found on YouTube. Note: Sojourner Truth’s actual speaking style combined West African and Dutch inflections (she learned the Dutch inflections in captivity, as a chattel slave). Tyson and other actors are using artistic license to interpret Truth’s words.

• The Open Mind (Producer). (1984). On feminism, part I [Online video]. Retrieved from http://www.archive.org/details/openmind_ep1342

A Lyrical Expression of Women’s Work Experience

Women’s work experience has been a defining discourse in society, embedded with personal, social, political, and cultural values. Song lyrics often embody these values and provide a perspective on the topic of women’s work experience.

In the Week 1 Discussion, you selected song lyrics that reflected a general social change theme related to women. In this week’s Discussion, you also choose song lyrics. This time, though, you will choose song lyrics that represent social change as it relates to women’s work experience. In addition, you again explore the use of literary techniques used in song lyrics. Remember to focus on the written words in the song and not the sound of the music that accompanies it.

To prepare for this Discussion:

• Consider how music has influenced and/or been influenced by social change.
• Search your personal music library, the Internet, or another resource (including this week’s Optional Resources) for a song that meets the following criteria:
  • The song was written by a woman.
  • The song reflects a social change theme that directly or indirectly relates to women’s work experience.
  • The song includes two literary techniques listed in the “Glossary of Terms and Techniques for Literature and Creative Writing” document. Note: Choose techniques you have not previously used.
  • The song may be from any time period or country, but the lyrics have an English translation available.
• Summarize and paraphrase the song using proper APA citation rules.
• Consider how the song you selected offers a social change perspective related to women’s work experience.
• Identify song lyrics that reflect any themes conveyed in the works of any of this week’s Required Resources by Ensler, Truth, Campo, and/or Ron.

With these thoughts in mind:

Post by Day 3 a 1- to 2-paragraph analysis of how the song lyrics you selected address social change themes related to women’s work experience. Provide evidence and discuss the effectiveness of two literary techniques used in the song lyrics.

Note: Be sure to choose two techniques not previously selected in the Week 1 Discussion. Also, be sure to include the song title and songwriter with your posting. Use proper APA citation rules.

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