 "Photo: Bailey Jo Josie")
Helmed by Jennifer Whetham, the Poetics of Hip Hop is a class that teaches students that there is more meaning to the genre and culture of hip hop than what is initially shown on the surface; that rap and hip hop is at its best, raw poetry.
The class environment consists of discussions and dissections of hip hop song lyrics like "Bitches Ain't Shit" by Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg and "Hip Hop is Dead" by Nas, the latter of which kicked off the spring quarter with a discussion of whether Hip Hop is really dead or not. Anteii Brim, a student in the class says, "The class made me think more about the lyrics when I listen to a song."
They discuss other aspects of hip hop culture. For example, the almost standard use of the "N word" in hip hop and what circumstances seem best fit to use it. Of the discussion, Kayleen Cardoza says, "I thought it would clear things up [about what context to use it in] but it made me more confused."
Whetham also has her students blog about their ideas and opinions for the class on ning.com, a social networking website. On Ning, the students cite what had happened that day in class and what they think about it.
When asked why he joined the class, Brim says, "[because of] the name of it…it's amazing."
Student Star Austin gives a more detailed reasoning: "The instructor; I had her before and she's just so enlightening… and so passionate about her work. From the beginning, Jen [Whetham] makes no secret that she'll expect a lot from us... not necessarily in the way some teachers do, like tons of homework, papers, and tests, but by being engaged in the materials and topics at hand, and often daring us to go outside of our comfort zones ."
She also says, "If rap music and hip-hop culture are things that pique your interest, regardless of your level of exposure, take this class. It is such an amazing opportunity, only offered Spring Quarter, and I feel lucky to be taking it… this class is motherflippin' awesome."
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