Heavy Metal NYC Course Materials

This page contains materials used in a course on heavy metal music culture that emphasized experiential learning and the construction of evidence-based arguments. The class was taught in Manhattan during the 2023-2024 academic year as part of an off-campus intercultural studies program through St. Lawrence University. Feel free to use this material in your own courses. All errors are my own.

Fall 2023 Syllabus

Spring 2024 Syllabus

Content related to communication skills

1. The writing process
2. Close reading and literary devices
3. Writing with clarity
4. Research papers
5. The structure of a research paper
6. Presentation tips

Main assignments

1. Close reading essay
   • Close Reading Outline
   • Song Lyric Options
   • Close Reading Essay
2. Research paper
   • Annotated Bibliography
   • Example Topics
   • Research Paper
3. Presentation

Course Outline

Topic/Slides	Activities	Assignments
What is metal?	Analysis of Arch Enemy’s Ravenous – Live in Japan Live Performance Discussion Questions	Heavy Metal Questionnaire
The magic of KISS Punk influence and East Coast thrash metal	Rock and Roll All Nite: MTV Unplugged  vs Live from the Brooklyn Bridge 1996 The Ramones vs Anthrax Live Performance Compare and Contrast Discussion Questions	Birth of Punk Walking Tour Reflection
Who listens to metal and why? Caught in a mosh	Totally Dangerous Mosh Pits Mosh Pit Discussion Questions Segments on Fans & Culture from Metal: A Headbanger’s Journey (2005)	Heavy Metal Concert Reflection
Authenticity	Unreadable Band Logo Game Analysis of Immortal’s Call of the Wintermoon Black Metal Music Video Discussion Questions	Authenticity Assignment
Lyrical themes in heavy metal	Subgenre roundup Discussion of Glint by Fellowship.
Obscenity and censorship	Discussion of Elvis Presley’s 1956 performance of Hound Dog on the Milton Berle Show PMRC Debate Activity Segments on censorship, death & violence from Metal: A Headbanger’s Journey (2005)	Obscenity Assignment
Technology and heavy metal	Trip to Generation Records  (210 Thompson St) Metallica Co-Founder Lars Ulrich Discusses Napster at the 92Y	Album Art Assignment
Virtuosity in heavy metal	Vivaldi’s Summer: Dover Quartet vs Alexi Laiho Vivaldi – Classical vs Metal Discussion Questions Segment on musical roots from Metal: A Headbanger’s Journey (2005)
Heavy metal and religion	Voice of Baceprot’s God, Allow Me (Please) To Play Music Metal and Religion Music Video Discussion Questions	Racism in Heavy Metal Assignment
Gender, power, and sexuality in heavy metal	Dee Snider Interview with Alissa and Doyle Metal Interview Discussion Questions Kittie on Sexism in the Music Industry	Gender Diversity in Heavy Metal Assignment
Metalnomics	Trip to Metropolitan Museum of Art Global Metal Jeopardy! Confess & Anders Odden Interview	Metropolitan Museum of Art Assignment
Wisconsin Metal	NYC Alternative Metal: Type O Negative – Black No. 1  and White Zombie – Electric Head, Part 2 (The Ecstasy) NYC Alternative Metal Discussion Questions What Makes NYC Metal	Anvil! The Story of Anvil Assignment