Fall 2010/Pasadena
TC511
Watkins
TC511: THEOLOGY AND HIP HOP CULTURE. Ralph C. Watkins.
DESCRIPTION: This course introduces the basic issues of a Christian
interpretation of hip hop culture and the major theological and biblical
perspectives that have been developed in approaching hip hop culture. The
purpose is to develop a hip hop cultural literacy and a practical and biblical
wisdom whereby cultural artifacts may be understood and engaged. A major part
of the course will focus on particular cultural "texts" in order to practice
strategies of reading and interpretation that are informed by Christian
perspectives.
SIGNIFICANCE FOR LIFE AND MINISTRY: Hip hop culture is experiencing a sea
change that has implications for everything Christians do, from evangelism to
worship and spiritual practices. Still Christians have often not taken the
trouble to develop an ability to interpret culture with sensitivity and to
adjust their ministry priorities accordingly. This course seeks to provide
tools for making this adjustment.
LEARNING OUTCOMES: Students will (1) gain a working definition of hip hop
culture; (2) understand the range of theological options and the reasons for
this diversity as it relates to hip hop culture and theology; (3) develop their
own theology in conversation with hip hop culture; (4) understand the role hip
hop culture plays in the construction of a theological frame outside and inside
the Christian church; (5) appreciate the importance of interpreting culture and
how that can and should inform priorities for ministry.
COURSE FORMAT: The course will meet weekly for three-hour sessions for six
weeks and four weeks will be virtual meetings (this is, a hybrid course).
Class time will be divided among introductory comments by the professor,
discussion of the reading, careful viewing and/or review of the cultural "text"
for the day, and discussion and interaction with the
students. Focus will be on interpretation of the texts, but
attention will also be given to the theological and cultural resources
necessary for developing interpretive and application skills. It should be
noted that we will be watching hip hop videos and listening to rap music that
would be considered explicit. The course engages hip hop in the form that
people in the real world engage the art.
REQUIRED READING:
- Asante, Molefi K. It's Bigger than Hip-hop: The Rise of the
Post-hip-hop Generation. St. Martin's, 2008. 304 pages. ISBN: 0312373260.
Pub. price: $19.72.
- Cone, James. The Spirituals and the Blues. Orbis Books, 1998.
152pages. ISBN: 0883448432. Pub. price: $10.88.
- Dyson, Michael Eric., and Sohail Daulatzai. Born to Use Mics: Reading
Nas's Illmatic. Basic Civitas, 2010. 320 pages. ISBN: 0465002110. Pub.
price: $10.85.
- Dyson, Michael Eric. Holler if You Hear Me. Basic Civitas Books,
2001. 186 pages. ISBN: 0465017282. Pub. price: $4.95.
- KRS-One. The Gospel of Hip Hop: First Instrument. PowerHouse, 2009.
832 pages. ISBN: 1576874974. Pub. price: $ 16.47.
- KRS-One, and Tavis Smiley. Ruminations. Welcome Rain, 2003. 224
pages. ISBN: 1566492742. Pub. price: $75.00.
- Morgan, Joan. When Chickenheads Come Home to Roost: A Hip-Hop Feminist
Breaks it Down. Simon & Schuster, 2000. 240pages. ISBN: 0684822628.
Pub. price: $12.88.
- Sylvan, Robin. Traces of the Spirit: The Religious Dimensions of Popular
Music. NYU Press, 2002. 300 pages. ISBN: 0814798098. Pub. price: $21.00.
- Watkins, Ralph. The Gospel Remix: Reaching the Hip Hop Generation.
Judson Press, 2006. 148 pages. ISBN: 0817015078. Pub. price: $10.20.
- REQUIRED LISTENING (CDs): Lauryn Hill, The Miseducation of Lauryn
Hill (Ruffhouse Records, 1998); Tupac, 2Pacalypse Now (Interscope
Records, 1991); Ghetto Music: The Blueprint of Hip Hop, Boogie Down
Productions (Jive, 1989); Nas, Illmatic (Sony, 1994);
- REQUIRED VIEWING (DVDs): Rhyme & Reason (Miramax, 2000); The
MC Why We Do It (Image Entertainment, 2004); Tupac Resurrection: In His
Own Words (Paramount Pictures, 2003); Tupac Shakur VS Tupac (Xenon,
2002); 500 Years Later (Code Black Ent., 2008).
ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT: (1) Bi-weekly response/reflection papers (3-5 pp.;
30%). (2) A weekly reading/listening report/reaction outlining the student's
own (developing) perspective on hip hop culture and theology (1-2 pp.; 30%).
(3) A "cultural reading" project that interprets a particular cultural item
from hip hop (approved by the professor) as it relates to hip hop culture and
the future of the church (10-15 pp.; 40%).
PREREQUISITES: None.
RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Elective. Meets interdisciplinary requirement
(IDPL) for MACL (Integrative Studies); will fulfill a concentration requirement
in the MA in Theology (Theology and the Arts format), the MDiv (WTA
concentration), and in the MA in Worship, Theology, and the Arts.
This ECD is a reliable guide to the course design but is subject to modification. (July 2010)