Representations of Women in Hip Hop

This course is an introduction to historical and contemporary representations of African-American women in popular culture, viewed within the context of hip hop culture. An interdisciplinary approach will be used, with course content and readings drawn from music lyrics, popular magazines, films, advertisements, music videos, promotional materials, and other sources. Particular emphasis will be placed on hip hop as a lens for critically examining the intersection between race/ethnicity, gender, class, and sexuality. Topics to be covered include: gender roles, power dynamics, and the social construction of African-American women’s sexuality. Students are required to attend all class meetings, complete assignments, and participate fully in discussions.