Humanities Arts Cultural Stu 0279 - #HipHop to @BarackObama

What makes literature literary and hip hop music? What do these two have in common? We will examine the very meaning of African-American literature by reading and listening to contemporary writers. We will explore national experiences of race and African-American experience(s) of race, sexuality, gender, class, and privilege right now. Instead of focusing solely upon the ways in which this literature emerges within a book-based history, we will address (across time) the various ways in which poets, rappers, authors tackle these themes within literary forms: fiction, creative non-fiction, autobiography, poems, songs, etc. Writers, musicians, and rappers may include: Jesmyn Ward, Jay-Z, Migos, Kiese Laymon, Ta-Nehisi Coates, and Chimamanda Adichie.

Independent Work Multiple Cultural Perspectives Writing and Research Students are expected to spend approximately 9 hours weekly on work and preparation outside of class time.