Listen to a conversation between a student and her Ethnomusicology Professor

Listen to a conversation between a student and her Ethnomusicology Professor

S: Hi, Professor John, do you have a second? P: Sure, Katy, what's on your mind?S: Uh, the assignment for class that's due next week. The short essay, I was wondering how long it's supposed to be?P: Well, the essay is your review of the documentary on traditional Irish music we watched yesterday in class. It should be about three to five pages long.S: That makes sense. Just wanted to check. OK, thanks. I'll see you in class.P: Just a second, as long as you're here. I wanted to talk about that research paper you and Sarah wrote together a few weeks back.S: Oh, the one we submitted before spring break?P: Right, when I finished reading it. S: You didn't like the paper? P: Actually, I thought it was quite sophisticated, very well-written and interesting.S: Oh, when Sarah and I decided to write about the Internet and the spread of popular Japanese music, we weren't sure how you'd react. We haven't discussed the cultural influence of the Internet in Asia in class. At first, we were going to write about something more traditional, like the Arabic influences on Spanish music, but we figured we were experts on the Internet.P: Well, the influence of the Internet is certainly something that ethnomusicologists study. Your point about the Internet's effect on youth culture in Japan was especially good. You and Sarah should consider presenting the paper at the undergraduate conference next semester.S: Really? But this is only my second year at the university. I don't know, am I really far enough into my studies to present at a conference?P: You don't have to be an expert in the field to present at the undergraduate conference. All you need is something interesting to share, and you've certainly got that. You'll have to submit a proposal, a short description of your paper. A committee reviews the entries and accepts only a few of the submissions. You should also make some revisions to your original paper to clarify a few of your ideas. I can help with that. It shouldn't be too much work. S: Thanks. That would be great.P: Just remember, it's very important that you submit a proposal right away, especially before you get busy with exams. Last year, one of my students wrote an incredible paper on folk songs from the Appalachian Mountains of North America. And I told him to apply for the conference, too, but he was so busy with schoolwork that he didn't submit his proposal on time.S: Trust me, Professor John, I'm going to get started right away. Right after I check with Sarah.