A break dancer does a backflip in front of a crowd in Harvard Square. (Photo courtesy of Daniel Bersak. Used with permission.)
Instructor(s)
Prof. Thomas DeFrantz
MIT Course Number
21M.775
As Taught In
Fall 2007
Level
Undergraduate
Course Description
Course Features
Course Description
This class explores the political and aesthetic foundations of hip hop. Students trace the musical, corporeal, visual, spoken word, and literary manifestations of hip hop over its 30 year presence in the American cultural imagery. Students also investigate specific black cultural practices that have given rise to its various idioms. Students create material culture related to each thematic section of the course. Scheduled work in performance studio helps students understand how hip hop is created and assessed.
