Description

How well do you know Michael Jackson?

In 2016 I brought out a book called The Dangerous Philosophies of Michael Jackson: His Music, His Persona and His Artistic Afterlife. It was the first academic monograph on Michael Jackson’s entire career. Along with this, I started teaching a six-week course on Michael Jackson called Introduction to Michael Jackson Studies.

This book distils everything from that course into one 132-page booklet.

Michael Jackson Studies is a brand new field which uses the study of film, music and culture while at the same time entering the debates surrounding Michael Jackson’s art and his extraordinary life.

About the Workbook

It is no secret that Michael Jackson was an international star. His unparalleled commercial success and phenomenal talent made him a celebrity all around the world. Millions of people flocked to watch Jackson perform in sell-out tours and following his untimely passing in 2009, Jackson’s art, music and creative works have spawned a brand new billion-dollar industry. However, despite Jackson’s unmatched fame and artistic contribution, several questions remain…

Who (or what) was Michael Jackson?

How and why did he create his art?

What exactly happened to him and his representation over the course of his career?

What does Michael Jackson mean to us now?

We begin with an introduction to Jackson’s life, his speeches, his poetry, his autobiographies and his music. Then we consider Jackson’s music and films as a reflection of his cultural significance. We will proceed through Jackson’s artistic canon, visiting key works of art and the contexts in which they were created. By the end, we will have all been refined through a masterclass in creativity.

Chapter One: Welcome and Introduction
Here’s a special welcome message from Elizabeth Amisu and an introduction. Enjoy re-listening to Michael Jackson’s greatest hits to reinvigorate and re-inspire as you gain these important Michael Jackson Studies basics:

• The intention of this course and what you’ll accomplish
• How to prepare for the course and research
• The best sources to use to begin your study
• How to accurately define MJ Studies

Chapter Two: The Man, Not The Myth
This first learning module focuses on the key elements about Michael Jackson’s personal and public life including:

• What Michael Jackson wrote about himself
• Why Michael Jackson became so successful
• How to take effective notes
• Why Jackson’s personas became fragmented
• His 2001 speech at Oxford University
• How racial hostility shaped how people viewed Michael Jackson
• How to interpret Jackson’s songs
• How to interpret Jackson’s short films
• Working with multiple sources simultaneously to get a clearer overview
• How to use a diary-model for in-depth (and on-the-fly) research

Chapter Three: Music & Context 1979-1986
This module is all about the music, Off the Wall and Thriller albums, and how you can tap into the time in which it was created and released. You’ll learn these important specifics and concepts:

• The Wiz & MJ’s “missing years” (the lead up to Off the Wall)
• How you can use the Spike Lee documentary, ‘Michael Jackson’s Journey from Motown to ‘Off the Wall’’ in your research
• The obstacles Michael Jackson faced in his early solo adult career
• How Michael Jackson transitioned creatively and artistically between Off the Wall to Thriller
• What Michael Jackson thought about the albums and his process
• Understand the importance of using podcasts and other sources in your research
• How to interact with the albums while you listen
• How to write about the songs and albums effectively

Chapter Four: Music & Context 1987-1994
Learn how to use the albums, Bad and Dangerous, and Michael Jackson’s book of poetry and reflections, Dancing the Dream in order to answer questions about his loves, life, purpose and art.  This module contains important expert advice about Jackson’s poetry and its structure.  You’ll learn:

• How to read and understand Dancing the Dream: Poems and Reflections
• Jackson’s middle-career years
• The effect that cultural changes had on Jackson’s output
• How the Panther Coda proves Michael Jackson was an artist

Chapter Five: Music & Context 1995-2001
How did Michael Jackson transition into adulthood and fatherhood? How did he weather the allegations of 1993? How did these allegations affect his life and work? This module is all about Michael Jackson’s autobiography, HIStory: Past, Present and Future Book 1, Blood on the Dance Floor: History in the Mix and Invincible. Elizabeth walks you through:

• The core message of the HIStory album
• The core message of the Blood on the Dance Floor album
• The core message of the Invincible album
• Michael Jackson’s musical transition between HIStory and Invincible

Chapter Six: A Reason to Create
Creativity is the best way of summarizing your learning. This ‘A Reason to Create’ lesson gives you a wonderful opportunity to create a piece of art or an article inspired by Michael Jackson, in order to understand his process more deeply. You will:

• Receive detailed guidance on how to bring all your ideas together
• Choose a final creative or academic project in your preferred field
• Complete your final creative project

Resources: Michael Jackson Studies
Elizabeth discusses how you can enhance knowledge of Michael Jackson in a way that is fulfilling and focused. Topics include:

• Free academic podcast, Michael Jackson’s Dream Lives On
• Free analysis of Dancing the Dream and Jackson’s personas
• Writing a Michael Jackson Diary for analysis and inspiration
• Effective Note-taking advice
• Core Reading Lists for every lesson to help kick start your research
• Extended Reading Lists for every lesson to help you further your research