Temple University just announced a brand new class all about rapper Kendrick Lamar that starts when students return for fall semester. Professor Timothy Welbeck will teach the course called Kendrick Lamar and the Morale of M.A.A.D City through the Africology and African American Studies department. The professor runs the Center for Anti-Racism and has been working at Temple for 14 years. He already teaches classes about Beyonce, Jay-Z, and Tupac but says Kendrick stands out because of his political messages. Welbeck tells reporters that Kendrick represents one of the most important voices speaking for young people today.
Students will dig deep into three or four of the rapper's albums to see how hip-hop tells stories and shapes culture. The class will also look at Compton where Kendrick grew up to figure out what made him write his songs. Professor Welbeck has been sneaking Kendrick's music into his other classes for almost ten years because Temple supports hip-hop as serious study material. The university already lets students learn about other rap stars as part of their regular coursework. Music industry people who worked with Kendrick will visit the class to share behind-the-scenes stories.
Students can sign up right away but the professor warns that seats will fill up fast. The course gives kids a chance to study how Kendrick's art connects to bigger conversations about Black identity and social change. Temple treats hip-hop culture as legitimate academic subject matter just like any other field of study.
Students will dig deep into three or four of the rapper's albums to see how hip-hop tells stories and shapes culture. The class will also look at Compton where Kendrick grew up to figure out what made him write his songs. Professor Welbeck has been sneaking Kendrick's music into his other classes for almost ten years because Temple supports hip-hop as serious study material. The university already lets students learn about other rap stars as part of their regular coursework. Music industry people who worked with Kendrick will visit the class to share behind-the-scenes stories.
Students can sign up right away but the professor warns that seats will fill up fast. The course gives kids a chance to study how Kendrick's art connects to bigger conversations about Black identity and social change. Temple treats hip-hop culture as legitimate academic subject matter just like any other field of study.
