The Philosophy of Hip Hop in America

FACILITATED BY: Dr. Julius Dion Bailey Office: Wesley 233 Hours: T/TH 11am-1pm and Tuesdays 4:30pm-5:30pm Course Description: History and Philosophy of Hip-hop in America will look at the content and forms of Hip Hop Expression as well as the assessment of performance, lyrics and media images upon its audience. This course will be taught thematically, focusing particularly to the following ideas: 1) How do we assess the role of Religion and Spirituality in Hip Hop; 2) We will examine questions of Identity and Race; 3) The Roles of Women and Projections of Sexual Relationships and Sexual Identity; 4) Hip Hop as a Politic , its aims, influence, and agenda. We will examine fundamental human questions such as: The search for God, love and knowledge; the historical concerns of cultural authenticity, race and sexuality; the beauty and pain inherent in language/meaning and The Axiology of Hip Hop (Ethics); Chiefly we are looking at Hip Hop as a Socratic, namely the historic look at Hip-Hops ability to question, inform and engage in politics and the search for purpose within a democracy. Required Texts: A Reading Packet (Provided by Professor) Recommended Sources: Freeman and Neal. Thats The Joint; Gee and Teter. Jesus and the Hip Hop Prophets; Morgan. When Chicken Heads Come Home to Roost; Perkins. Droppin Science: Critical Essays on Rap Music and Hip Hop Culture; Rose, Tricia. Black Noise: Rap Music and Black Culture in Contemporary America; Print Magazines: The Source, XXL , Doula: The Journal of Rap and Hip Hop Culture Internet Resources: www.infintegraf.com , www.worldstarhiphop.com, www.hiphopdirectory.com; www.daveyd.com *Also Highly Recommended PARENTAL ADVISORY LABEL This course will consistently examine the organic nature of hip hop culture, that is to say we will look at it as it is (Keeping it Real). It is the expectation of the professor that those enrolled will treat this learning experience with respect and maturity. There will be language, images, ideas and interpretations provided by the examination of this cultural genre that may offend some. Please understand that as an academic enterprise. We are, as the rapper Common says, Opening up a mental window so that others can come in. You are free to disagree with or advocate for, the ideas, positions, or expressions proffered by those who manifest or explicate various aspects of the culture. However, as a facilitator of ideas as well as a harbinger of hope, I will keep a

respectful classroom and encourage all of you to respect yourselves and others in all actions and behavior. This is not JERRY SPRINGER. Grading: 500 250 130 100 20 5 Exams @ 100 pts per 5 Quizzes @ 50 pts per 26 @ 5 per Attendance Final Paper Label Formed by January 19th

A LITTLE BLING-BLING for those whose Chain (grades) may hang too low
Materials Check 60 pts During Week 1of Classes if have your class material(s) you will receive 60 extra points. You cannot do well in this class without this book and actively engaging in its contents. I am willing to give you an incentive to acquire the book early. Cut of date is Monday, January 17th The Hook Up- Lecture Days are Bring A Friend DayYou may receive 5 points for exposing a friend/another professor or staff/ or family member to our dynamic classroom experience. The One More Chance Assignment- Docgive me one more chance, Doctor B, give me one more chance. - 100 pts. This will be an assignment on my Jay Z. Everyone is eligible to complete this assignment and these points DO apply in addition to extra credit already earned **On or before, April 1, 2011, you must go to www.thejayzbook.com click on Macfarland Publishers and order the book. Once you receive the book, you will do a review of the book. Each chapter you review will earn 10points The Label- Forming, by week 2, a small group of 4-5 members who will form your label. As label-mates, it is expected that you are in contact during the week, assisting each other with the readings, sharing ideas and researching for each other as you deal with the issues. In the opinion of your professor, this sharing or biting is often done in Hip Hop Culture as you assist each other to make a difference in this course and your intellectual lives. Weekly you will earn class points for all in-class commentary that is content-based (not emotive) and lends itself to an understanding, or at the very least, and engagement with the course material.*THIS IS A COMPETITION AGAINST OTHER CLASS Labels. By the end of the semester points will be earned by the strength of the labels. The label with the most points at the end of the semester wins a 10% bonus of 100 points. Thats right, 10% or 100 pts will be given out to the label that demonstrates the most consistent and thorough performance this semester. 50 points go to the 2nd highest aggregate points * Remember extra credit cannot get you an A but it will boost you one letter grade.

Breaking It Down: This course is based on a 1000 point scale. Due to its difficulty, I have implemented an internal grade scale curve. Thus For a Grade of:

A: 880-1000 pts ; B: 780-779 pts; C: 660-779; D: 580-669.

*The following is your reading list. All readings are found in your Course Reading Packet. Should there be additional readings, they will be supplied on a as needed basis. ALL READINGS LISTED ARE DUE ON THE DATE. AGAIN.THE DATE REPRESENTS WHEN READINGS SHOULD BE COMPLETED Required Readings you will be tested on some way or another. Recommended Readings are for intellectually daring who recognize that Its All Good.
Date Jan 11 &13 Jan 18 Jan 20 My Mount Rushmore of Hip Hop Topic Course Background and Set up Reading Assignment Evaluations

Hip Hop and Theology 7- 21 How Hip Hop Lyrics Mean 23- 39 The Dee-Jay And the Worship Leader Pgs. 31-39
Quiz Hmwk. Due

Jan 25

Techniques of the Dee-Jay 41

Sample This 43-47 Fear of a White Planet Pgs. 97- 123

Quiz

Quiz Feb 3 Adam Mansbach Video

Fear of a White Planet Pgs. 97- 123 and Is Hip Hop Black Pgs. 124- 139

Feb 8 Feb 10 Feb 15 Feb 17 Feb 22

Class Review No Class Guest Lecturer Guest Lecturer Guest Lecturer

5 Week Exam Due By 5pm

Holy Hip Hop Pgs. 203- 223

A Religious History of Hip Hop Pgs 179- 201 Holy Hip Hop Pgs. 203- 223
Exam

Feb 29

A Religious History of Hip Hop Pgs 179- 201 Black Women Rappers and Sexual Politics Pgs. 159-177

Mar 1 Mar 3

Black Women Rappers and Sexual Politics Pgs. 159-177

Gangsta Rap and Black Masculinity Quiz Pgs. 73-95 Gangsta Rap and Black Masculinity Exam Pgs. 73-95
Quiz

Mar 10

Mar 15 Mar 29 Mar 31 April 5 April 7 April 12 April 14 April 19 April 21 April 26 April 28 May 3 May 5 In Class Video Tupac Jay Z Special Class Jay Z YOU PICK-EM Nas YOU PICK-EM

Queer Women of color and hip hop masculinity Pgs. 151- 158

Excerpts from Dr. Baileys Jay-Z Book Excerpts from Dr. Baileys Jay-Z Book

All The Words Past the Margins: A Quiz Look at Nas Pgs. 141-150
EXAM Evaluation

CLASS WRAP UP Final Exam Last Day to Submit