Course Description
The qualitative and quantitative methods for best assessing the functions of significant issues of performance and social interaction within contemporary African American culture, including, in some instances, the impact on health professions and the theory and delivery of health services. Some topics covered will have slightly more of a cultural implication, replete with systematic analysis; others will take on more of a practice in services.
Athena Title
Topics Afri Amer Soci and Hlth
Equivalent Courses
Not open to students with credit in SOCI 4600, AFAM 4600
Semester Course Offered
Offered fall
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Course Objectives
Hip Hop (topic proposed immediately for Fall, 2005) Students will learn, analyze, and articulate 1)environmental determinants of the phenomenon 2)analytic of the major components 3)diasportic reach internationally 4)poetic form 5)appropriation and assimilation into mass culture 6)political impact 7)theory and practice of popular culture 8)projection of future impact 9)complement of gender in differentiating the forms Sociological and cortically analyses will be completed for the 10-20 minute oral reports and for the various drafts of the major research paper at the end.
Topical Outline
The purpose of this course will be to explore and examine the structure of Hip-Hop culture as it expresses the forms and theories of African American existence. Several areas will be covered: • The sociological factors which spawned Hip-Hop music • Current conditions in the African American Community and how it is reflected in Hip-Hop music • The four elements of Hip-Hop mixing, DJing, Breakdancing and Graffiti • Hip-Hop culture and its spread world-wide • Hip-Hop as a form of poetry • Postmodernism and Hip-Hop • The mainstreaming of Hip-Hop music and culture • Hip-Hop as a source of information and activism in the African American community • The notion of Rappers as Role Models and Heroes • African-American Sexuality, Masculinity, and Femininity • Forecasting The Future of Hip-Hop and the African American Community • Oral Reports • Major Research Paper Prospectus • Major Research Paper Draft • Major Research Paper Final Course material will include selected readings and recordings. Also, there will be guest lectures from local and national Hip-Hop artists. Students will be evaluated by research papers, introspective essays, and one exam.