Punk Rock is a well known music genre. But it’s not just music, it’s a culture, Pop culture! Pop culture is a group of people who share ideas particularly in fashion, music, and internet trends and that’s exactly what punk rock is. Punk Rock is a subgenre of Rock. It originated in the mid 1970’s known as disco progressive rock and very string heavy. Punk was a celebration of urbanism and used to reflect on teenage angst.
The Punk Rock Museum here in Las Vegas is known for its rock concerts and other events relating to rock, but how does the museum connect to LVA and students/academics?
How could the Punk Rock Museum be used as an educational resource?
Ms. Post, a social studies teacher at LVA was asked, “do you see any overlap between Punks’ theme and what you teach in school?”
“It has a lot of information about a particular genre of music, but also, Punk is not just a genre of music, it’s a culture, and so there’s a lot of memorabilia to be seen. I know they have a variety of events and things for all ages that could be useful for somebody who is wanting to learn more about Punk Rock as a music and culture scene,” said Post.
“A lot of what we teach as social studies teachers is how to think critically and creatively and also stand up for justice. And I know that it, although it’s not universal, there’s not one thing that defines what punk rock is that’s a lot of those themes are part of culture as well,” said Post.
Continuing the conversation with Ms. Post, “Do you think it’s important for students to learn about cultural moments like Punk Rock?” said Post.
“Absolutely, I think that they help us understand who we are as a society. I think they help us understand various groups and their interests and what they care about, and having multicultural awareness is an important part of being a citizen,” said Post.
The Punk Rock Museum is uniquely located in Las Vegas that can serve as a vital educational tool, beyond music appreciation but to teach political and social concepts. Exploring Punk Rock, students can gain critical thinking skills needed for making and staying informed citizens.
