Hip Hop Critical Theory allows students to analyze, critique, and discuss the literature and critical discourses that examine hip-hop culture. Assigned readings consist of the most current theoretical, political, and social dialogue/texts that provide a framework for discussion and writing assignments. Some of the major areas of focus are as follows: the major movements and themes of hip-hop; the relationship between the predominant American culture and hip-hop; the new Black Renaissance – hip-hop culture literature, and the commercialization of hip-hop.

 

In that respect, students are engaged in critically reviewing misogyny, violence, drug culture, commercialism, globalism, politics, social customs, and other issues currently dominating the hip hop landscape. They are encouraged to discuss contemporary and past criticisms of hip hop music/culture from early discussions of hip hop as a fad to the current explosion of commercial culture within the artform.

 

In short, students are required and expected to seriously consider the development/validity of these criticisms and the people who make/made them. Students start with an overview that addresses the history and pedagogy associated with Hip-Hop discourse. Students also learn how to critically examine the rhetorical underpinnings of video and written lyrics. We concentrate on four critical themes during the semester:

 

1. The economics of Hip-Hop

2. The art form of poetics in Hip-Hop

3. The role of Women in Hip-Hop

4. The culture in Hip-Hop 

 

From here students are encouraged to come up with their own Project(s) that adequately address thier concerns. This semester there are ten scholars working on becoming the newest generation of Hip Hop Critical theorist.