Hip-hop history class @ SDSU

CLICK HERE

http://media.www.thedailyaztec.com/media/storage/paper741/news/2007/08/29/City/HipHop.History.Class-2941562.shtml



When you think of history class, you think of the American Revolution, not the hip-hop revolution.

But for San Diego State students, history classes can cover the movement of hip-hop from the Atlantic coast to the Pacific coast as well as the United States expansion from east to west.

For the first time ever, SDSU will offer the History and Culture of Hip Hop during the fall semester. The goal of the course is for students to be able to critically analyze hip-hop as well as understand its beginnings and culture.

The class, which is being offered by the Africana Studies Department, is the first of its kind among San Diego colleges.

"Hip-hop is a culture, it's something you live," class professor Jahsun Edmonds said. "Hip-hop is an extension of black existence, at least after the civil rights era. I grew up in the hip-hop era and studied hip-hop from people who live it."

Edmonds said that there are five elements of hip-hop, which include: emceeing, deejay-ing, B-boying (the dancing aspect), graffiti and knowledge.

Edmonds said that he wants his students to learn accurate history about the culture of hip-hop, and that students should not expect him to fabricate details or background information.

Africana studies junior Dorienda Cooper said she's expecting to learn about where hip-hop emerged from and where it is today and is interested in the struggles hip-hop has faced. Pre-journalism freshman Hayden Prante said that he thinks it will be a different kind of class that should discuss what is good about hip-hop today.

The class will also prominently feature guest speakers throughout the semester, including original San Diego dancers and other hip-hop artists.

One of the highlights of the program will be Dennis Newsome, a master of Capoeira, an Afro-Brazilian dance.

The class is offered at 7 p.m. on Mondays in Storm Hall room 351. The class is still open and accepting students. For more information, look up the Fall 2007 class schedule at www.sdsu.edu.