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The Beatles and the
Creative Process
Final Paper
General Requirements
–Papers
should be typed, double spaced and around 5-7 pages (or around 1200-1700 words)
long. They can be a bit longer if you like.
–Be
sure to ground your observations and assertions with specific references to
texts and/or events. (And remember that songs and recordings count as texts in
this course.)
–You
are not required to do outside reading for this assignment. All of the topics
listed below can be addressed by reference to required course readings. (In a
few cases, I direct you to a supplementary reading that is posted on E
Reserve.) Avoid using outside sources. If you feel a pressing need to
use an outside source, then you must discuss it with your instructor.
–Wherever
you quote the words — or draw on the ideas — of an author, you must cite that
author. (This of course means that papers must have a bibliography or Works
Cited list attached.) Use MLA citation style. The basics of MLA style are
covered here: http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/747/02/.
–Regarding
paper format: don’t have a separate title page. In the upper left corner of the
first page, have a heading that lists the fo

llowing:
Your
name
The
course title
The
instructor’s name
The
date
[If
you are an SCPS student in the BAIFA program] The competence statement
Then
skip two spaces and write out your essay question, in full. Skip two more
spaces and begin your discussion.
Topic:
1. Review the debate
surrounding Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band. Note that while
everyone agrees the album had a powerful impact on popular music, some see that
impact as good while others see it as pernicious. Note too that while some
consider it the Beatles’ best work, others see it as a falling off from the
heights of, say, Revolver or Rubber Soul.
Take
a stand in the debate, explaining and supporting your position with specific
references to the texts — print and audio — involved. Then go on to describe
one interpretive lens through which one of the commentators’ views Sgt.
Pepper. What is the focus of this lens: Is it the music? Is it the lyrics?
Is it style? Is it the album’s implications for society? Is it the album’s
implications for rock music itself? Explain the focus of the interpretive lens
in question and mention one thing we gain by viewing the album through this
lens and one thing we lose.