Exploring US culture/identity through music

Music has played an important role in the development of an American identity and has also often created a stereotypical image of the United States. For this mini-presentation, I would like you to pick a musical genre or song(s) that somehow represent American culture/identity, including its citizens and lifestyle. You may also discuss any social or political criticism that the genre/song brings forth.  You should keep in mind that the music industry in the USA includes influential record companies, radio stations, community orchestras, television channels (MTV) and specialized magazine (Rolling Stone). However, I’d also like you to consider the country’s ethnic diversity so whichever music genre/song you pick (hip-hop, blues, country, jazz, soul, rhythm and blues, pop, techno, rock, etc.) be sure to include a discussion of the social and cultural identity that the genre or song weaves (include issues of class, race, religion, language, geography, gender and sexuality).  

There was a general review of some of the problem areas each student had in terms of grammar, sentence structure or pronunciation.