Convergence Fall 2015: It Will be Fresh

Thursday, October 29, 2015

It Will be Fresh

Oge Gbanite

Convergence

10/28/2015

This blog is for everyone that wants a relationship, that wants a difference in their lives. It's for your Grandma singing hymns on the organ, it's for the stripper that needs help, and for the teenager that wants to get closer to God.
There is a new movement, and it is Good. Music has been the source for numerous cultural revolutions in history. Look at the Beatles. According to "When the Beatles' Changed Everything" by a correspondent at CBSNews, they weren't only the sound of a generation, they were the generation. Music changes everything, so why aren't we more aware of what we listen to? According to Rick Warren, author of "The Purpose-driven Life", "Spiritual emptiness is a universal disease. Everyone wakes up one day, and says 'there's got to be more to life than this'."

The reason why worship music isn’t doing the same thing on a grander scale is the lack of exposure, and that is a shame because we can all feel fulfilled, and that fulfillment could begin with music, it could begin with my blog: It Will Be Fresh.

We are what we eat, but we are always what we listen to. We all want to be happy, healthy, inspiring, creative, fulfilled and spiritual beings that connect with our Creator and understand our purpose, yet we listen to music that speaks hate. Why? Do we understand the subconscious repercussions of listening to certain music? Even mothers understand this connection, playing classical music during the developmental phases of child growth, classical music, not rap.

The blog will have:

Other Christian blogs and music.

Promotion through information; articles that expand on what Worship music is, what it does, and it's origin

The blog will behave like a radio station/blog/web cast

Promoting and showing the life of a Christian, the life of artists, the lives of people that listen to this type of music
Interviews with artists talking about their music, and why they chose worship, as well as why they didn't and their awareness on their influence
I will post on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays

This will be more than just a ‘religious space’; it will be a conversation, a movement, and a culture that appeals to all religions, races, cultures, and creeds. It will be universal, and it will be intimate. An intimate conversation to help all people find answers, and help them develop a closer relationship with God. Go is real, and He is showing Himself in worship music so thoroughly that people are experiencing God in their everyday lives. This blog is for those that need help and need someone to talk to, for those that need a song that will brighten their day, or want to know if they can wear this/that as a Christian.

Every week, on the Monday of that week, I will post a song of the week. The song this week is Got that Fire by Royal Tailor.

This blog is about music, but it’s also about life. Conversations, movie reviews, and a little bit of me sprinkled on top. YouTube, Instagram, Twitter and Facebook are now all avenues for Christians to proclaim worship and connect with one another, other artists and the world.

Let this also be a educational journey on what worship used to be, and how it encompassed all life, to how it dwindled and is now picking up a new momentum. Christians are no longer choosing to be just that, they want to be more. Let's talk about this.

The name is under construction. It Will Be Fresh is the tentative title for the blog for now, because I want to draw people to it, and not push them away! Any ideas are welcome! The first post will be tomorrow, and then continue on from Friday, Monday, Wednesday, Friday etc. the first post will just be a video and an exploration of my journey in Worship and what I hope to accomplish. I have interviews planned for next week with Paul Paulson.

I love this video by Tanya Luhrmann about people living with god in their daily lives.

Works Cited:

"When The Beatles Changed Everything." CBSNews. CBS Interactive, 2 Feb. 2014. Web. 29 Oct. 2015.

https://youtu.be/gip6kB3wAeE (Got that Fire: Royal Tailor)

https://youtu.be/g8OQPihhzIQ ( Rapper Trip Lee discusses how he is not a Christian Rapper)

https://youtu.be/DloTO-SwFZA (TedxTalks with Tanya Luhrman: When God talks back)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=640BQNxB5mc (TedxTalks with Rick Warren: A Life of Purpose)

12 comments:

Chris ZranchevNovember 4, 2015 at 8:18 AM
Really love this idea Ogee! Definitely check out Hillsong, their music will definitely go perfect with your final. I also know someone who is an active member if you need an interview!
ReplyDelete
Replies
UnknownNovember 4, 2015 at 5:01 PM
This is a very interesting topic, do you consider the Christian billboards also? also is it any particular denomination or Christianity in general? I'm curious about that. Do different sects Christianity listen to different types of Christian rock/hip hop?
ReplyDelete
Replies
UnknownNovember 4, 2015 at 5:31 PM
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDelete
Replies
UnknownNovember 4, 2015 at 5:33 PM
Oge, I like the way you incorporated The purpose driven life in your presentation, Living life on purpose. I think Worship music is a great way to be in the presence of God and connect to your right now situation. Your blog should have Fresh in its title to help your bloggers to understand how they can since his The Lord presence in a fresh way through music. They can experience the anointing in a new way, may they be christians or not. Go with your gut on the title!!
ReplyDelete
Replies
UnknownNovember 4, 2015 at 5:35 PM
Oge, I like the way you incorporated The purpose driven life in your presentation, Living life on purpose. I think Worship music is a great way to be in the presence of God and connect to your right now situation. Your blog should have Fresh in its title to help your bloggers to understand how they can since his The Lord presence in a fresh way through music. They can experience the anointing in a new way, may they be christians or not. Go with your gut on the title!!
ReplyDelete
Replies
UnknownNovember 4, 2015 at 5:35 PM
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDelete
Replies
UnknownNovember 11, 2015 at 5:47 PM
I think an interesting point that you can address is the difference between artists who do become labelled Christian music artists, and compare how that happened or them to people like Talib Kwali or Kanye West when he released "Jesus Walks"
ReplyDelete
Replies
UnknownNovember 12, 2015 at 8:46 AM
Hey, Oge. Great concept. I think the biggest challenge wold be reaching those who are turned off by anything having to do with religion. It is one of those weird things where you want to reach people but at the same time you do not want to compromise your beliefs and the message. I think a way to do it is having an in depth musical component talking about the musical contributions of worship music, and secondly a conversation on the business aspect and why worship music is not doing as well. There may be people who are not as interested in the religious discussion but may be intrigued by a musical or economic discussion.
ReplyDelete
Replies

Add comment

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)

All remaining Final projects will be presented on Thursday, December 17 11:45am-2:45pm. Attendance will be taken. Let's celebrate our last day of class! Bring snacks to share if you can :)

______

NOTE: You can post your extra credit post (see below for details) until Wednesday Dec. 9 at noon for full 5% credit. For those who did not post the Transmedia post you may also post this by the same Wednesday deadline for a 4.0 maximum grade (much better than 0). I will not allow any other "late posts" - only the transmedia post.

********

My son, Lucio William, was born on 11/12. He and I are both doing well and recovering and getting to know each other. I am back home now and I am available via email for any questions and concerns you may have. All remaining assignments due for the semester are listed below. Concentrate on your final projects especially. I have cut out one week's readings. The syllabus and the sidebar reflect this change. I have also made the last writing assignment, Post 4, optional. This means it is not mandatory. All students have the option of completing the assignment for 5 extra credit points (5% on top of your final course grade.) Review the syllabus for the details of your final projects under project description. Contact me with any questions or concerns. See all of you very soon!

FINAL PROJECTS presented 12/10

(due on the blog on 12/9 before 8pm)

Checklist:

-project summary on the blog along with images

-a link to your project including written projects which must be published somewhere or linked as pdfs. (or your project can be included in the post ex: videos embedded)

-presentations will be from your blog post or linked directly from the post PLEASE TEST THIS BEFORE ARRIVING IN CLASS - 5 minutes MAX.

-written projects (research papers and essays) must be handed in to me in print.

-all students must hand in to me a final resources list/bibliography (or this can be included in your blog post) in addition to preparing the above for the presentations

-I have invited guests to attend our final presentations.

Due 12/3

READINGS: Jenkins, Conclusion pg. 251- 270. Afterword pg. 271-294 Pavlik/McIntosh, Chapter on Global Media in the Digital Age

We will also be discussing games and the Sleeper Curve so review the readings that were due 11/12 for our discussion.

Post 4 Future of Convergence (optional - for extra credit 5pts)

What is the future of convergence? What is the intersection of technology and storytelling? How can we approach the future with our knowledge of the past and our contemporary experiences? What do we forsee? What can we expect? How can we prepare?What should we be thinking about?

Use examples and references to the readings (with citation and bibliography) you have done about the future of gaming, popular culture and politics.

5-6 paragraphs, with images, captions and links. Share resources with us that we have not discussed. Dig! Find something inspiring. What does the future of media look like? How can we (you) get in the game?

Work on your semester projects!!

_______________

NO READINGS DUE 11/19 - review the readings that were due 11/12 we will be discussing these on 12/3 along with new readings due 12/3 see below.

We will have a visitor in class 11/19. Attendance will be taken. Igor Alves of DreamPlay Media will be presenting several projects of his local media production company and his experience with the changing landscape of the media industry.

DreamPlay Media http://dreamplaymedia.com/

Group 7 will present on 12/3

NO CLASS 11/26 Happy Thanksgiving!

Class is cancelled today 11/12!

I have gone into labor. Please keep an eye on this blog for instructions and assignments due next week. WORK ON YOUR SEMESTER PROJECTS!!

_________

Due 11/12

READING: Pavlik/McIntosh, Chapter on Audio/Radio/Music. And Case Study - The Sleeper Curve on Blackboard (please let me know if you cannot access the reading)

WORK ON YOUR SEMESTER PROJECTS!!

Resource List and Bibliography due printed and handed in to me in class 11/12 and added to your proposal on the blog. Your research should be close to finalized as your project is well into production.

POST 3 (extended* due 11/18 before midnight)

Transmedia storytelling

1- ANALYSIS

What is the difference between multimedia and transmedia?Choose a message/story/product that uses multiple platforms to expand the reach and experience of a story (idea.) Choose an example that has not been discussed in class. Use the readings from class and additional readings to analyze how this story is told using various platforms (including ARG, games, social media, traditional media, etc.) How does this strategy engage participation? How does the use of various platforms benefit or change the story or the audience?

Find research to back up your argument. Use various essays/articles to speak to your points. Cite your research. 7+ paragraphs, with images and citations.

Group 7 presents

2 Tweets with #convergcult

________________

Due 11/5

READINGS: Pavlik/McIntosh, Visual Media Chapter: Photography, Movies and Television. (Chapter 5 in both editions)

and Jenkins, Searching for the Origami Unicorn pg.95-134

IMPORTANT!!!

UPDATE YOUR PROJECT PROPOSALS - Revise your existing proposal posts from your midterm presentations to include all new work and development you have made on your project. Please list all new research and resources, new ideas, new production details. If you did not address all questions I requested in your original proposal. Please address these now. Look through the description of the project and its goals on the syllabus as well as the description of the midterm proposal in the sidebar to be sure you are addressing all questions. If you have changed your idea entirely please REPOST your idea to the blog with a clear title that indicates your topic has changed completely. Let me know and email me as soon as possible with details and a new proposal if this is the case.

MUST COMPLETE!! 2 additional Comments (or 4 comments if you have not already commented on two proposals in the past two weeks)on project osts.

Group 6 presents

2 Tweets with #convergcult (***Many of you have posted zero tweets! This has a negative impact on your participation grade. If you have not been tweeting please take the opportunity to do so for the remainder of the semester so as to not loose credit for this entirely.***)

________________

Due 10/29

READINGS: Pavlik/McIntosh, Social Media chapter (old book ch8 - new book ch7)

see: http://www.alonetogetherbook.com/

and read the excerpt: http://www.alonetogetherbook.com/?p=4

In addition to looking at the Alone Together links above - watch all of the videos in this playlist:http://www.ted.com/playlists/26/our_digital_lives.html(10 videos)

Group 4 presents

2 Tweets with #convergcult

_________________

Due 10/22

MIDTERM PRESENTATIONS in class on 10/22 **Please arrive in class 5 minutes before class begins at 2:25pm

Proposal of final semester project. In a two page (700+ word description printed and handed in to me) please explain: the topic, the form your project will take, the scope of your research, intended message of your piece, the audience you would like to reach (be specific - of course you may want it to reach the broadest audience possible - but who are you directing it towards specifically), the way(s) you intend to distribute or publish your work, how it will involve your audience, how do you intend it to "make change", why are you making this project, why is it important to you, how does this project fit in to your portfolio or career ambitions, how will you produce this project, how are you taking advantage of convergence in the project or in the distribution of the project, how do you plan to make something amazing.

Please include a Bibliography and/or Resource List for semester project (so far) in addition to your 2+ page description. Please use proper MLA or Chicago style. Include any academic research/scholarship, literature, inspirational projects, media works you are looking to, any resources you plan to use in order to create the project, expertise you plan to employ, help you will be seeking to accomplish your ambitious goals, all materials and information you hope to access to complete the project.

HAND IN TO ME YOUR PRINTED 2+ PAGE midterm proposal and bibliography/resource list as you enter the classroom on 10/22.

Then you will give a 2 minute presentation to the class.On the blog create a NEW extensive summary post, a "pitch" to the class of your project proposal. This must be posted on or before 10/21 at 11:59pm. Presentations will be from your blog post and should explain where you are in your research and production of your project and how and where you plan to be at the final presentation. What are you making, why and how? Please concise, clear and impressive! Practice your presentations for clarity and for time. Use visuals (images in your post) if appropriate. Be sure the class and I will fully understand exactly what you plan to make and why.

You will be graded on the proposal you hand in, on your blog post and on your presentation "pitch" to the class.

On 10/22 No New Readings Due. No Group Presentations Due. No tweets due. Just concentrate on your proposals and presentations.

____________

Due Thursday 10/15

READINGS: Pavlik/McIntosh, Chapter on Advertising and PR and Chapter on Media Ethics

2 Comments on project proposals. Read through student project proposals. Choose two or more to give feedback and help with/give additional resources, advice or references. Be constructive and thoughtful.

Post 2 DUE Mass Amateurization

In the readings Everyone is a Media Outlet and Publish, Then Filter, Clay Shirky describes "mass amateurization." Explain what he means by this and give a clear example from your experience that illustrates his argument. What does Shirky argue is the outcome of this? How has media publishing and consumption changed as a result of this? Similarly Jenkins in Why Heather Can Write describes fan fiction culture and the amateurization of the author. Please use examples to explain this development.

What do you feel is the future of the media professional? What do these two readings suggest may be shifting, if anything, and what may come of these new authors/storytellers, journalists and producers?

Feel free to use other essays/articles as well to speak to this points. ~800 words, with several images (with captions), citations from the readings and works cited.

Important note on Post 2:

The post should be a strong analysis of the readings. Be sure to convey an understanding of the readings and cite them extensively. Use media examples to illustrate your points from these readings and those of your own choosing. These should be titled (create a strong title), carefully written, well edited and properly cited with bibliographic information at the bottom of each post. All posts should include illustrative images with captions and links that are clear and introduced in your text.

*Please be sure that your published post is formatted correctly with spacing, alignment, paragraphs, images and captions of images lined up as best as possible. Fonts and images should be sized correctly. Please remember these are on the web. Format them to reflect your best published writing for the web with images and text appearing as polished as possible. This is a good part of the writing grade. EDIT!

2 Tweets with #convergcult

Group 3 presents

Group presentations must also have a summary posted to the blog. One post per group. Best to complete this before your presentation in class. For those who have presented please do this immediately. This post is part of your presentation grade.

**********************

COMING ATTRACTIONS for 10/22 MIDTERM PRESENTATIONS in class on 10/22 **Please arrive in class 5 minutes before class begins at 2:25pm

HAND IN TO ME YOUR PRINTED 2+ PAGE midterm proposal and bibliography/resource list as you enter the classroom on 10/22.

Then you will give a 2 minute presentation to the class. On the blog create a NEW extensive summary post, a "pitch" to the class of your project proposal. This must be posted on or before 10/21 at 11:59pm. Presentations will be from your blog post and should explain where you are in your research and production of your project and how and where you plan to be at the final presentation. What are you making, why and how? Please concise, clear and impressive! Practice your presentations for clarity and for time. Use visuals (images in your post) if appropriate. Be sure the class and I will fully understand exactly what you plan to make and why.

You will be graded on the proposal you hand in, on your blog post and on your presentation "pitch" to the class.

On 10/22 No New Readings Due. No Group Presentations Due. No tweets due. Just concentrate on your proposals and presentations.

_______________

Due Thursday 10/8

READINGS: Pavlik/McIntosh, Chapter on Journalism

Online:

David Carr's Last Word on Journalism, Aimed at Students, New York Times, February 2015 http://www.nytimes.com/2015/02/16/business/media/david-carr-as-a-passionate-professor-shaping-the-future-of-journalism.html

Clay Shirky, Newspapers and Thinking the Unthinkable, March 2009 http://www.shirky.com/weblog/2009/03/newspapers-and-thinking-the-unthinkable/

Two short articles from Brain Pickings by Maria Popova:

The Life of Trailblazing Journalist Nellie Bly, Who Paved the Way for Women in Media https://www.brainpickings.org/2015/07/17/the-daring-nellie-bly-bonnie-christensen/

Addiction to Truth: David Carr, the Measure of a Person, and the Uncommon Art of Elevating the Common Record https://www.brainpickings.org/2015/02/13/david-carr-night-of-the-gun/

++Draft Proposal Due for Semester Project++

Please choose and describe the topic which you plan to research for your semester project. See the project description at the end of your syllabus for the guidelines of the project. Write up a description of the social issue, of the research you plan on undertaking and what you plan to creating to approach this topic (video, podcast, vlog, tumblr campaign, workshop, research paper, article, poster, art project etc). Please include as much information as possible at this stage. You may include images and links to supporting material. 1 page+ printed and handed in to me AND a post on the blog. This proposal will count towards your midterm grade. You will be presenting your topic in short presentations as your midterm on 10/22. Please dive into this proposal as it is crucial to your success on the midterm and final.

Group 3 presents

2 tweets with #convergcult

________________

Due Thursday 10/1

READINGS: Pavlik/McIntosh, Chapter 6 only (3rd and 4th editions) and on Blackboard: Clay Shirky, Publish, Then Filter. *different from the original readings on the syllabus. I have also corrected the syllabus to reflect these readings.

Important note on Posts:

The posts should be strong analyses of the readings. Be sure to convey an understanding of the readings and cite them extensively. Use media examples to illustrate your points from these readings and those of your own choosing. These should be titled (create a strong title), carefully written, well edited and properly cited with bibliographic information at the bottom of each post. All posts should include illustrative images (with captions) and useful links that are clear and introduced in your text. Be sure to include a bibliography/works cited at the end of your post. You may use MLA or any accepted style in order to cite, but please be sure to be consistent and check your format.

GROUP PRESENTATIONS must also have a summary posted to the blog. One post per group. Best to complete this before your presentation in class. Please summarize your presentation and include images and links to the most important examples and information. For those who have already presented please do this immediately. This post is part of your presentation grade. You might consider having your presentation online and linked from the post to make it easier to present in class. You may bring your presentation with you but be sure to have a back up way of accessing the presentation as there is always room for a technical problem.

GROUP 2 presents

2 Tweets with #convergcult

________________

Due Thursday 9/24

POST 1 DUE Society of the Spectacle

What is the society of the spectacle? How does Debord describe the spectacle and its impact? Discuss the theme of commodity as described by Debord in this chapter specifically. What is the commodity as spectacle? Please use your readings about the media, convergence and spectacle to help illustrate your descriptions and your points. Use clear examples from contemporary mediated culture to help explain your interpretations of this text.

You must cite from your sources (in body citation) and use images (at least 2) to illustrate your examples. Feel free to also link to additional resources and information.

500+ words posted on this blog: well-developed, edited, and formatted correctly.

READINGS Due: Pavlik/McIntosh, Chapter 3 and Clay Shirky, Everyone is a Media Outlet on Blackboard and Jenkins, Why Heather Can Write pg.175-216

2 Tweets with #convergcult

_______________

DUE Thursday 9/10

Introduce yourself on the blog - MINI POST

Please post 1 paragraph about yourself and your professional and academic goals. How do media, media consumption and media studies fit into your life, your academic goals and your interests? You must include one image and one link.

READINGS:

Jenkins, Introduction to Convergence Culture pgs.1-24

Pavlik/McIntosh, Chapter 1+2

From Guy Debord's Society of the Spectacle (first published 1967):

Debord, The Commodity as Spectacle (1977 translation)OR(2002 translation)

2 Tweets with #convergcult

_________________________

Link to Syllabus

Link to online videos (links) from class screenings

Readings on the syllabus refer to chapters in your texts:

John V. Pavlik and Shawn McIntosh's Converging Media and

Henry Jenkins' Convergence Culture: Where Old and New Media Collide

**Additional readings can be found on the Blackboard site or linked here and will be specified here for each class. Please check here each week for additional readings.

CLASS DISCUSSIONS:

The course material and discussions can often be provocative and challenging. We must therefore be careful to be respectful of each other and all of our viewpoints. No student shall ever be made to feel uncomfortable because of race, gender, sexual orientation or religious beliefs.

We must come to class prepared and ready to discuss the readings!! Please keep discussions focused on the readings and class materials and keep examples relevant and appropriate. If you have not done the readings you are not to participate in the discussion.

Please see this great list of classroom discussion guidelines for guidance on classroom discussion. It is also helpful that everyone in the course reviews several key terms that are often important to the class discussion. Please review this important list of terms.