AFR 221
Giving God a Backbeat: Rap Music, Religion & Spirituality
Fall 2014
(also offered Spring 2015)
Division II
This is not the current course catalog
Class Details
On the surface, religion and rap music may seem as if they have little in common. Yet, like other Black musical traditions such as spirituals and the blues, rap is rooted in African American religious traditions. In this course, we will explore the ways in which rap music intersects with the sacred and secular worlds. Through an examination of black religious traditions, lyrics, music videos, and digital media, we will unearth what Anthony Pinn calls the “spiritual and religious sensibilities” of rap music. Grounded in culture-centered criticism, we will investigate the rhetoric of rap and religion through the theoretical ideas of Black Liberation Theology and hip-hop feminism.
The Class:
Format: seminar
Limit: 25
Expected: 20
Class#: 1943
Grading: yes pass/fail option, yes fifth course option
Limit: 25
Expected: 20
Class#: 1943
Grading: yes pass/fail option, yes fifth course option
Requirements/Evaluation:
students will be evaluated on their class participation, response papers, quizzes, and a final class group project
Prerequisites:
none
Distributions:
Division II
Class Grid
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HEADERS
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CLASSESColumn header 2DREQColumn header 3INSTRUCTORSColumn header 4TIMESColumn header 5CLASS#
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AFR 221 - 01 (F) SEM Giving God a Backbeat
AFR 221 - 01 (F) SEM Giving God a BackbeatDivision IIVaNatta S. FordTR 8:30 am - 9:45 am
Paresky 2071943
Megamenu Social