What does it mean to be an Italian in the 21st century? How has this sense of identity changed as the country has become more multicultural? How does art play a role in combating racial stereotypes, effecting change, and giving a voice to the voiceless? This course examines Italy's racial past and present - perhaps surprisingly - through the lens of global hip-hop music and culture, an increasingly popular form of expression among first and second generation Italians. The course will cover a general history of the hip-hop genre in its relation to social justice.