Skip to main content
Department of English
Search
Log in
Navigation
About
Current Office Hours
Diversity Resources
English Library
Faculty Statement Archives
Internal Dept Resources
Medieval and Early Modern Studies
University Writing Program
Video Guides & Worksheets
Visit us on Facebook
Major/Minor in English
Advising
Creative Writing Application
Honors Program
Internships
Literary Magazines
Major Requirements Guide & FAQ
Minor Requirements
Study Abroad
Why Major in English?
MFA in Creative Writing
Admissions
Events, Prizes, and Resources
MFA Program Faculty
Newly Admitted Grad Students
Resources
Ph.D. in Literature
About
Admissions
Newly Admitted Grad Students
PhD Alumni Directory
Resources
Courses & Schedules
People
News & Events
Off the Syllabus Podcast
Recent News
Contests
Contest Winners
Previous Contest Winners
Newsletters
You are here
Home
»
Courses & Schedules
English 51 - Winter, 2020
Hot Bars, Supreme Lyrics, and Rhymes for Days: Hip Hop as Poetry
Class Information
Instructor:
Kossak, Benjamin
CRN:
55204
Time:
TR 1:40-3:00
Location:
261 Olson
Description
This course considers hip hop as a source of some of the greatest innovators of American poetry, from Afrika Bambaataa to Rakim, Tupac, Mos Def, Kendrick Lamar and Tierra Whack. It examines MCing?the composition and performance or rap lyrics?in relation to the other four pillars of hip hop: turntablism, graffiti, b-boying, and knowledge. Attention will be paid to different innovators? art of the line and to how performance of rap lyrics brings attention to poetic structures upon which audience pleasure depends.
Primary texts include: Book of Rhymes: The Poetics of Hip Hop, by Adam Bradley and a course playlist along with transcriptions of the song lyrics.
Grading
Attendance and participation: 30%
Weekly quizzes: 50%
Final exam: 20%
Texts
Book of Rhymes: The Poetics of Hip Hop
, Adam Bradley
