AAS 2325 - Hip Hop and African American Culture

Credits: 3 hrs

This is an interdisciplinary course, which investigates the social, aesthetic, cultural, political and historical contours of hip-hop, as well as its impact on American (Popular) Culture. It is designed to introduce students to hip-hop culture, while simultaneously utilizing hip-hop as a lens through which to explore the various dimensions, themes and nuances of African and African-American music/history in general, and the development and emergence of hip-hop in particular.

This course explores contemporary themes within hip-hop culture drawing parallels between the past and present. Students will examine the influence of African American Literature on hip hop discourse with a focus on major literary movements, writers, etc. (The Harlem Renaissance, The Black Arts Movement, et al) and their impact on hip hop aesthetics. Students will also utilize literary criticism and theory to analyze hip hop discourse while examining the trajectory of contemporary African American literature within the context of hip hop expression.
Pre-requisite(s): AAS 1301 - Introduction to Africana Studies or ENG 1305 - Thinking and Writing Critically About Literature (or equivalent)