MUS 1014  - Exploring Hip Hop Music

Course Information 

MUS 1014: Exploring Hip Hop Music  (4 credits)

Term: Summer I 2019

This course explores the history and evolution of Hip Hop from its cultural roots to the impact on contemporary society. Through the analysis of repertoire and historical events, students will evaluate the artistic and socio-cultural contributions of Hip Hop.

Format: Fully online. (This course will also be listed as L, LW, & N, as departmental scheduling needs may require.)

Professor Information  

Instructor: Sean Dobbins                                                       

E-mail: dobbins@oakland.edu

Office hours: by appointment     

Learning Outcomes 

1) Accurately narrate a general timeline of Hip Hop music’s creation and development. 

2) Students will gain knowledge in the reciprocal effects between hip-hop culture and  mainstream society.

3) Students will gain an understanding of lyrical content and its ability to shape social change.

4) Demonstrate the ability to integrate cultural, philosophical, political and historical approaches to the development of Hip Hop as a cultural phenomenon. 

Textbooks and Materials 

Required Text: The History of Rap and Hip Hop by Soren Baker ISBN 978-1-4205-0822-2

Microsoft Office 365 Free for OU Students. Enables access to a suite of Office 365 cloud products as well as download and install of the full Office Productivity Suite, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote, and more. The software can be made available on up to 5 personal devices.

Assignments 

Course Topics and Coursework

History of Hip Hop

Women in Hip Hop

Hip Hop Culture

Gangsta Rap

Rap as a Business

Rise of the South and a D.J

Hip Hop: A Global Force

The New Rap Landscape

Grading 

• A: Comprehensive, thorough coverage of all objectives, required content, critical and higher level thinking, original and creative, sound use of English skills, both written and oral 

• B: Competent, mastery of basic content and concept, adequate use of English 

• C: Slightly below average work, has met minimum requirements but with difficulty 

• D: Has not met requirements of assignment/course, has significant difficulties in many areas

• F: Has not completed requirements; has not officially withdrawn from course before drop date

Grading:

30%   Quizzes (10)

15%   Forum Questions (10)

15%   Reflections

40%   Final Project

Quizzes will be based on the information from the text and/or assigned videos.

Reflections are specific ideas, thoughts or concepts that are based on the text by making thoughtful comments and connections and also include a really great question. These should be thoughtful observations that bring about discussion between you and your colleagues. All students must respond to at least two other students’ reflections per unit. Again, this is meant to create dialogue about specific events and important figures in the history of Hip Hop.

Forum questions will be posted per unit as well. Students must offer a thoughtful summary of unit content based on the questions or discussion topics.

Each assignment must be submitted through Moodle. You must submit the assignment by11:59pm EST on the day it is due.

If you need help with technical assistance please go to http://www2.oakland.edu/elis

If you have questions about the assignments, please use the online news forum. You may find that your question was answered in a previous post.

Final Project From the perspective of a Radio D.J/Producer create your own radio show choosing approved topics listed on Moodle (for example, exploring historical, social, and /or cultural contexts of Hip Hop). This should be a 10 song playlist that best portrays and supports your topic. Describe why you chose the particular selections, the importance of the song/artist, time (era) of composition, important lyrical excerpts and the social/historical/cultural significance of each song. Complete directions and guidelines for the final project are posted on Moodle.

Grading Criteria for Written Responses and Forum posts on Moodle:

A = Excellent work that thoroughly explores the subject or writing prompts with supported ideas

B = Good work that is clear but not polished or fully supported

C = Average work that correctly explores the subject or question but lacks depth

D = Unorganized work that contains many inaccuracies

F = Failure to complete the project or answer the question

Using Technologies 

Technology Back-up Plan

• In the event that your computer crashes or internet goes down, it is essential to have a “backup plan” in place where you are able to log in using a different computer or travel to another location that has working internet.

• Any files you intend to use for your course should be saved to a cloud solution (Google Drive, Dropbox, etc.) and not to a local hard drive, USB stick or external disk. Saving files this way guarantees your files are not dependent on computer hardware that could fail.

Technology Help 

• For help using Moodle, use the Get Help link at the top of the Moodle page (moodle.oakland.edu). 

• For access to technology and in-person assistance, call or visit the Student Technology Center (Link to Student Technology Center: https://www.oakland.edu/stc/).

• For general technology assistance, consult the OU Help Desk (Link to Help Desk: https://www.oakland.edu/helpdesk/).

 Respect Rules of Netiquette 

1. • Respect your peers and their privacy.

   • Use constructive criticism.

   • Refrain from engaging in inflammatory comments.

Classroom and University Policies 

Classroom Behavior 

1. Academic conduct policy. All members of the academic community at Oakland University are expected to practice and uphold standards of academic integrity and honesty. Academic integrity means representing oneself and one’s work honestly. Misrepresentation is cheating since it means students are claiming credit for ideas or work not actually theirs and are thereby seeking a grade that is not actually earned. For more information, review OU’s Academic Conduct Regulations. (Link to Academic Conduct Regulations: https://www.oakland.edu/deanofstudents/policies/)

2. Following are some examples of academic dishonesty:

• Cheating. This includes using materials such as books and/or notes when not authorized by the instructor, copying from someone else’s paper, helping someone else copy work, substituting another’s work as one’s own, theft of exam copies, falsifying data or submitting data not based on the student’s own work on assignments or lab reports, or other forms of misconduct on exams.

• Plagiarizing the work of others. Plagiarism is using someone else’s work or ideas without giving that person credit; by doing this, students are, in effect, claiming credit for someone else’s thinking. Both direct quotations and paraphrases must be documented. Even if students rephrase, condense or select from another person’s work, the ideas are still the other person’s, and failure to give credit constitutes misrepresentation of the student’s actual work and plagiarism of another’s ideas. Buying a paper or using information from the World Wide Web or Internet without attribution and handing it in as one’s own work is plagiarism.

• Falsifying records or providing misinformation regarding one’s credentials.

• Unauthorized collaboration on computer assignments and unauthorized access to and use of computer programs, including modifying computer files created by others and representing that work as one’s own.

3. Behavioral Code of Conduct. Appropriate behavior is required in class and on campus. Disrespectful, disruptive and dangerous behavior are not conducive to a positive learning environment and may result in consequences. Core Standards for Student Conduct at OU includes

• Integrity. See academic conduct policy points above.

• Community. Policies regarding disruptive behavior, damage and destruction, weapons, and animals.

• Respect. Policies regarding harassment, hazing, and sexual misconduct (Link to Sexual Misconduct policy: https://www.oakland.edu/policies/health-and-safety/625/)

• Responsibility. Policies regarding alcohol, drugs, and other substances

See the Student Code of Conduct for details. (Link to Student Code of Conduct: https://www.oakland.edu/deanofstudents/student-code-of-conduct/)

Accommodation and Special Considerations 

Oakland University is committed to providing everyone the support and services needed to participate in their courses. Students with disabilities who may require special accommodations should make an appointment with campus Disability Support Services (DSS). If you qualify for accommodations because of a disability, please submit to your professor a letter from Disability Support Services in a timely manner (for exam accommodations provide your letter at least one week prior to the exam) so that your needs can be addressed. DSS determines accommodations based on documented disabilities. Contact DSS at 248-370-3266 or by e-mail at dss@oakland.edu. 

For information on additional academic support services and equipment, visit the Study Aids webpage of Disability Support Services website. (Link to Disability Support Services website: https://www.oakland.edu/dss/)

Mental Health and Well-Being 

Oakland University is committed to advancing the mental health and well-being of its students. If you or someone you know is feeling overwhelmed, depressed, and/or in need of support, services are available. For help, contact The OU Counseling Center at Graham Health at (248) 370-3465.  Student resources can also be found at the Dean of Students website by clicking on Student Health & Safety Resources. (URL: http://www.oakland.edu/deanofstudents)

Attendance policy 

Excused Absence Policy 

This policy for university excused absences applies to participation as an athlete, manager or student trainer in NCAA intercollegiate competitions, or participation as a representative of Oakland University at academic events and artistic performances approved by the Provost or designee. A student must notify and make arrangements with the professor in advance. For responsibilities and procedures see Academic Policies and Procedures, which includes other considerations such as a new Bereavement Leave Policy. (Link to Academic Policies and Procedures: https://www.oakland.edu/provost/policies-and-procedures/)

Religious Observances 

Students should discuss with their professor at the beginning of the semester to make appropriate arrangements. Although Oakland University, as a public institution, does not observe religious holidays, it will continue to make every reasonable effort to help students avoid negative academic consequences when their religious obligations conflict with academic requirements.  See The OU Diversity Calendar for more information. (Link to calendar: https://www.oakland.edu/diversity/calendar/) 

Preferred Name and Pronoun 

If you do not identify with the name that is listed with the registrar’s office, please notify me so that I may appropriately amend my records. In addition, if you prefer to go by a different pronoun, please inform me. For more information including a preferred first name on university records please review OU’s Preferred Name Policy (URL: oakland.edu/uts/common-good-core-resources/name-services/)

Sexual Misconduct 

Faculty and staff are responsible for creating a safe learning environment for our students, and that includes a mandatory reporting responsibility if students share information regarding sexual misconduct/harassment, relationship violence, or information about a crime that may have occurred on campus with the University. In such cases, the professor will report information to the campus’ Title IX Coordinator (Chad Martinez, chadmartinez@oakland.edu or 248-370-3496). You can report such incidents to the Dean of Students Office directly. Students who wish to speak to someone confidentially can contact the OU Counseling Center at 248-370-3465. Additionally, students can speak to a confidential source off-campus 24 hours a day by contacting Haven at 248-334-1274. The Dean of Students website provides more information on your options and support services. (oakland.edu/deanofstudents/sexual-assault-and-violence-initiative/students/)

Add/Drops 

As a student, university policy officially gives you the responsibility to add and drop courses. Put in your calendar deadline dates for dropping courses (even if you think it won’t be necessary), and consult the Drop or Not Guide to make a well-informed decision before dropping a course. (https://www.oakland.edu/registrar/registration/dropornot/)

Faculty Feedback: OU Early Alert System 

As a student in this class, you may receive “Faculty Feedback” in your OU e-mail if your professor identifies areas of concern that may impede your success in the class. Faculty Feedback typically occurs during weeks 2-5 of the Fall and Winter terms, but may also be given later in the semester and more than once a semester. A “Faculty Feedback” e-mail will specify the area(s) of concern and recommend action(s) you should take. Please remember to check your OU email account regularly as that is where it will appear. This system is to provide early feedback and intervention to support your success. (Link to Faculty Feedback for students: https://www.oakland.edu/advising/faculty-feedback/)

Emergency Preparedness 

In the event of an emergency arising on campus, the Oakland University Police Department (OUPD) will notify the campus community via the emergency notification system. The professor of your class is not responsible for your personal safety, so therefore it is the responsibility of each student to understand the evacuation and “lockdown” guidelines to follow when an emergency is declared. These simple steps are a good place to start:

• OU uses an emergency notification system through text, email, and landline. These notifications include campus closures, evacuations, lockdowns and other emergencies. Register for these notifications at oupolice.com.

• Based on the class cell phone policy, ensure that one cellphone is on in order to receive and share emergency notifications with the professor in class.

• If an emergency arises on campus, call the OUPD at (248) 370-3331. Save this number in your phone, and put it in an easy-to-find spot in your contacts.

• Review protocol for evacuation, lockdown, and other emergencies via the classroom’s red books (hanging on the wall) and oupolice.com/emergencies.

• Review with the professor and class what to do in an emergency (evacuation, lockdown, snow emergency).

Violence/Active Shooter: If an active shooter is in the vicinity, call the OUPD at (248) 370-3331 or 911 when it is safe to do so and provide information, including the location and number of shooter(s), description of the shooter(s), weapons used and number of potential victims.  Consider your options: Run, Hide, or Fight.