AFST 20025 - The Socio-Political Influence of Hip-Hop

Course Credit: 1
This course will be begin by examining how the origins of hip hop music are a product of the socioeconomic conditions of the South Bronx in the early 1970s and a confrontational response to Reaganomics in the 1980s. Through close readings of song lyrics along with sociological and anthropological analysis of specific regions or areas such as South Central Los Angeles, the five boroughs of New York City, and the “Dirty South” we will assess how effectively hip hop reflects urban living conditions throughout the US. Finally we will consider the evolving history of hip hop as a business, its political influence, and its lyrical dedication to consumerism, considering this combination can we rightfully classify hip hop as a social movement? [C, HSS]