Co-taught by Grammy Award-winning producer 9th Wonder (Patrick Douthit) and Mark Anthony Neal, a noted scholar of black cultural studies, the course will examine the organic social, cultural and economic foundations of hip-hop culture. Students will examine the impact of fifteen recordings released during the foundational years of the culture (1973-1993) that exemplify the foundational tensions of culture vs. commerce and spirituality vs. secularism. In addition to a midterm project (producing an audio documentary) and a final exam, students will be expected to produce a review essay based on assigned readings and curriculum outline for teaching hip-hop studies for secondary education.
English Department