1 | Sociology of Hip-Hop Culture Syracuse University Spring 2011 Don C. Sawyer III

2 | Sociology of Hip-Hop Culture Syracuse University Spring 2011 Don C. Sawyer III

Sociology of Hip-Hop Culture ` SOC 300 Tuesday & Thursday 5-6:20 pm 018 Eggers Hall Spring 2011 Don C. Sawyer III Department of Sociology Office Hours: Thursday 3:30-4:30pm (other times by appointment) Office Location: 203 Bowne Hall

The “Teacha” KRS One stated that “Rap is something you do and Hip-Hop is something you live.” Once thought of as a passing fad, Hip-Hop culture has remained at the forefront of Black, urban, U.S., and world culture. This art form developed and perfected by disenfranchised African American and Latino youth, grew out of the South Bronx in New York City but has roots that go beyond this land. Course Description: First and foremost, this is not a music appreciation course or an academic version of 106 & Park. This course will serve as a space for students to analyze hip-hop culture and the societal structures and forces that influence the culture, as well as how hip-hop influences the world. This course examines the formation, growth, and current state of hip-hop culture through a sociological lens. Through a rigorous analysis of Hip-Hop, students will be challenged to think critically and sociologically about the culture and its place in society and develop a clearer understanding of the history and social significance of the culture. Required Texts: Black Noise: Rap Music and Black Culture in Contemporary America (BN) -Tricia Rose Hip Hop America (HHA) -Nelson George That’s the Joint! The Hip-Hop Studies Reader (TTJ) -Murray Foreman and Mark Anthony Neal *Other readings will be available on Blackboard Selected Recommended Texts: The Hip-Hop Generation- Bakari Kitwana When Chickenheads Come Home to Roost- Joan Morgan Can’t Stop, Won’t Stop -Jeff Chang Check It While I Wreck It –Gwendolyn D. Pough Prophets of the Hood- Imani Perry Specific Course Learning Goals and Outcomes/Objectives:

To create an environment conducive for the analysis of social issues and their impact on the development of Hip-Hop Culture (ex: race, class, gender, capitalism, education, cultural appropriation, etc.)

To introduce and reacquaint students with concepts, theories, and methods used in sociology to analyze society.

To create an awareness of sociological thought and its uses. To enable students to identify and examine sociologically relevant problems and issues as it

relates to Hip-Hop culture. To encourage critical thinking and writing skills, demonstrating the students’ ability to

understand and analyze social issues. To enhance students’ understanding and appreciation of the complexity of social life and its

influence on cultural forms. Help students become more comfortable with academic writing and presenting.

3 | Sociology of Hip-Hop Culture Syracuse University Spring 2011 Don C. Sawyer III

Grading: Grading will be based on a total of 100 percentage points. Each assignment for this course has a specific percentage value. At the end of the semester I will use your accumulated percentage for your course grade.

94-100 = A 80-83 = B- 65-69 = D 90-93 = A- 76-79 = C+ 64-00 = F 87-89 = B+ 73-75 = C 84-86 = B 70-72 = C-

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… Disclaimer: This syllabus is not written in stone and is subject to change. However, changes

will not be made without you being informed. Course Requirements: Class Participation & Attendance: ATTENDANCE IS MANDATORY! Frequent absences will result in the lowering of your grade. Students are expected to attend ALL classes, to read, listen and view ALL material for class, and to be PREPARED to discuss, analyze, and critique materials. This grade is based on more than being physically present. You must be an active participant during class. (10%) Freestyle: What is your experience with Hip-Hop? You will write a 3-page essay that outlines what hip-hop means to you. You should try to use detailed description of at least one song that represents what Hip-Hop means to you as a part of this assignment. Include first-person narrative that details your experiential relationship to Hip-Hop. (5%) Microphone Checks: Students are responsible for completing five one-page, single-spaced, 12pt font reaction papers (Mic Checks). You will react/respond in written form to selected assigned class readings five times during the semester. You are expected to demonstrate that you understand the main points of the readings and can relate the material to class discussions. The mic check should consist of a summary of the reading as well as your reaction to the text. It is imperative that students keep up with the readings and pay attention during class in order to be informed enough to complete the assignment. These assignments will be due at the beginning of class on the day indicated and late mic checks will not be accepted. If I sense that students are not keeping up with the assigned readings, more mic checks may be assigned. (15%) The Class MC: Each student (as a member of a crew) will have the opportunity to lead a segment of class discussion based on an assigned reading and rap song. The oral presentation should be a group project, developed in collaboration with all the members of the crew. The crew will assemble a 10 minute presentation on the topic at hand for the class session. The presentation must stick to the time frame in order to leave time for discussion and response. The presentation must reflect an understanding of key concepts proposed by the readings. The presentation should build on those concepts, either in consent or dissent, with additional musical and/or visual materials. The most successful presentations will include critical analysis, supporting materials, and examples drawn from beyond the course syllabus. (10%) Final Production and Sections (contains a sample from Dr. Matthew Oware…all rights reserved): The final production will actually begin with the first day of class. You will write an academic paper in small/manageable pieces throughout the semester (Literature Review, Theory/Methods, Lyrical Analysis, Discussion/Conclusion, and Bibliography). Each piece of your project will be graded separately and have a specific due date listed on the syllabus. At the end of the semester, the paper will be graded as a complete project. The paper can be on any topic you choose as long as it relates to the theme of the course.

4 | Sociology of Hip-Hop Culture Syracuse University Spring 2011 Don C. Sawyer III

Most published academic articles go through several rounds of edits before being ready for final publication. We will use a peer editing process for this project to ensure that the final project is your best work. Hold on to your seats…the paper will be at least 20 pages in length. Remember, you will write it in sections. At the end of the semester you will have a paper “worthy” of being presented at a national academic conference. You will do a 7-10 minute presentation of your paper in the last week of the course. The final version of the paper is due in my office by 4pm on Thursday, May 5, 2011 (203 Bowne Hall). NO LATE PAPERS WILL BE ACCEPTED. NO E-MAILED PAPERS WILL BE ACCEPTED. We will discuss the paper in more detail throughout the semester. (Each of the four individual sections is worth 5% and the final product is worth 40% for a total of 60%) Extra Credit: Attend at least one Hip-Hop performance/event and write a 2-4 page analysis of the performance making explicit connections between the event and the course content. Students must obtain approval from the instructor before doing the extra credit assignment. All extra-credit must be submitted within one week from event date. No exceptions. You are allowed up to two extra credit events throughout the semester.

What you can expect from the instructor:

I will make every effort to be present at the start of class and prepared to present the material for the day. In case of emergency, I will arrange for a substitute or I will contact the main office as soon as possible and ask them to post a message on the classroom door informing the class of my absence.

I will grade as fairly and objectively as possible using the criteria given. I will attempt to present the material in an engaging and thorough manner.

NOTE: There may be language within this course that some people could find

objectionable. However, the issues discussed within these materials are important enough to the culture of the course to warrant this exercise of the instructor’s discretion.

Classroom Expectations:

Cell phones, iPods or other electronic devices should be turned OFF during class. Laptops may be used (without sound) to take notes in class. Programs such as Instant Messenger, Facebook, Twitter, etc. should NOT be used during class time. I appreciate your attention during class and your efforts not to disturb your fellow students. Avoid leaving early, arriving late, or getting up during class.

Please come to class with an open mind and be prepared to engage in discussion and respectful debate with your classmates. Be respectful when expressing your opinions and look forward to learning from one another.

Email is the best way to contact me. If you need to meet, please drop in during my office hours. If these hours do not work for you, we can also set up a special appointment.

If you have any concerns about the course, assignments, grades, etc., please contact me at your earliest convenience. Do not wait until it is too late to address them.

Special thanks to the following professors for their support: A. Banks, T. Cateforis, E. Price, M. Oware, T.L. Gosa, D. Abe, T. DeFrantz & S. Everson-Bradley