Revised AP German Exam Music Research Project Guidelines

Overview of the Revised AP German Research Project

  • The AP German exam format is undergoing significant changes for the upcoming year.
  • A central component of the new assessment is a long-term research project.
  • Students will be assigned a specific topic in JanuaryJanuary. For the upcoming cycle, the assigned topic is music.
  • The primary deliverable for this project is a 33-minute oral presentation.
  • The objective is to produce an authentic example of this project for the Lenco platform, which is utilized by students in Mansfield for French, Spanish, and German studies.
  • The goal is to provide a realistic benchmark for students. The presentation should be high quality but does not need to be a "perfect 55" on the AP scale. Natural grammar mistakes are acceptable as they represent an authentic student level and prevent learners from becoming discouraged.

The Three Ps: Products, Practices, and Perspectives

A critical requirement of the research project is the explicit identification and explanation of the "Three Ps." These must be called out specifically within the presentation to achieve a high score.

  • Products

    • These are the tangible or intangible items produced by the culture.
    • Examples include musical instruments, song lyrics, the artists themselves, and the specific songs or albums they produce.

  • Practices

    • These are the observable behaviors, traditions, or ceremonies associated with the topic.
    • Examples in the context of music include specific dances, parades, and large-scale festivals like Oktoberfest.

  • Perspectives

    • This is the most abstract category, focusing on the underlying mindset, values, or philosophies of the German-speaking culture.
    • It addresses the "why" behind the music: why classical music remains vital to Austrians, why Mozart is such a significant cultural figure, or the specific values embedded in a musical tradition.
    • The goal is to make these cultural mindsets "less weird" by explaining them explicitly so that those outside a German-speaking family can understand the reasoning behind them.

Project Structure and the Concept of "Factors"

  • Regional Focus

    • The presentation must be anchored in a specific German-speaking country, region, or city.
    • Potential areas of focus include Salzburg, Austria, or Bavaria.

  • Selection of Three Factors

    • The presenter must choose three specific "factors" or angles to hone in on the topic of music.
    • Factors might include the economic side of music, historical perspectives, cultural celebrations/traditions, or specific artists.
    • By selecting three distinct factors, the student creates a focused and organized presentation rather than a general, wandering discussion.

  • Organizational Framework

    • State the specific region and the three chosen factors at the beginning of the presentation.
    • Body: Discuss each factor in detail, incorporating the Products, Practices, and Perspectives.
    • Conclusion: Wrap up the findings within the time limit.

Technical and Formatting Requirements

  • Duration and Audio

    • The final product must be a 33-minute audio recording. No video component is required.
    • The oral presentation should be "rehearsed but not memorized." The use of a full script is discouraged to avoid sounding robotic.

  • Graphic Organizer

    • Students must use a specific graphic organizer to plan their talking points.
    • This organizer is strictly limited to 1010 words per box. These keywords serve as a note card to keep the speaker organized and remind them of transitions between topics.

  • Timeline

    • While the actual AP process gives students several weeks, the preparation for this specific exemplar can be completed in a matter of days (e.g., starting on a Monday and finishing by Friday).
    • The final audio and the accompanying graphic organizer should be submitted within approximately one month.

Recommended Sources and Research Methods

To build a comprehensive presentation, students should consult a variety of authentic German-language texts. Relying on diverse media types mimics the requirements of the actual AP exam.

  • Multimedia Sources: YouTube videos, podcasts, and audio clips.
  • Print and Visual Sources: Newspaper articles, blog posts, infographics, and data charts.
  • Language Authenticity: All research must be conducted using authentic texts in German.
  • Citation Policy: For this specific project, formal citations of newspapers or blogs are not mandatory, though the information gathered should be integrated into the presentation.

Implementation in Bavaria: A Case Study

Bavaria serves as a robust example of a region with deep musical assets that can be analyzed across multiple factors:

  • Traditional and Folk Music: Analysis of popular folk music played at Oktoberfest or songs performed at weddings.
  • Classical Influence: Integrating the role of classical music academies and historical figures.
  • Political and Social Expresssion: Exploring songs of protest or music that provides a specific historical perspective through a political lens.

Questions & Discussion

  • Question: Does the presentation need to be a script, or should it be more natural?
  • Response: It must be natural and realistic. Using notes from the graphic organizer is encouraged, and practicing several times—perhaps with a teacher—is advised. However, reading directly from a script should be avoided because students will not be able to do that during the actual exam in the spring. It is better to sound like a student than a robot.
  • Question: What if I cannot find enough sources in German?
  • Response: Assistance is available from experts, including a contact in Rothenburg, who is a German expert originally from Colombia and attended school in Germany for 1010 years. This contact can help pull specific articles and professional research material if needed.
  • Question: Can I see an example of the graphic organizer?
  • Response: A sample version in Spanish will be provided (regarding baseball in Venezuela). Although the language is different, the cognates will make it easy to understand how the talking points are structured despite the 1010-word limit per box.