Since the primary goal of this class is to understand the effective usage of rhetorical devices, the learning of such strategies will be facilitated with a formative course theme. Therefore, the theme for this section is writing about Hip-Hop Culture. In other words, this course analyzes the different aspects of the genres of hip-hop music and their associating cultural ideologies, such as film and television, song and dance, lyricism, literature, video, celebrity, fashion, politics, etc. Additionally, we will discuss hip hop in terms of history and accessibility. Finally, some readings and activities will explore how cultural understandings of gender, ethnicity, nationality, race, sexuality, religion, and socioeconomic status have affect the portrayal of music in culture and culture in music.
To model how to analyze a music culture, students will read and respond to various texts within hip-hop culture, specifically, though are open to explore another music culture throughout the term. Each of these readings and assignments centered on hip-hop culture will challenge students to consider the connection between what we experience in our daily lives and the way we understand and imagine our personhood as they interact with, prosume, and distribute music genres.
