Mumbai: The University of Mumbai (MU) — in a move that sets it apart from other varsities in the country — will start a certificate course in hip-hop studies for rap music aficionados.
A special curriculum has been designed for this course, which is being established under the department of communication and journalism. The curriculum, according to MU officials, features diverse topics such as politics, revolution, history, economics, globalisation, feminism, activism and gender representation in hip-hop, and covers a host of the elements including hip-hop culture, the performance aspect and theoretical knowledge. While MU is breaking new ground by offering such a course, the discipline has been taught for some time in universities such as Harvard and the University of Toronto.
Dr Sanjay Ranade, the head of department, first learned about the global reach of the hip-hop subculture, which sprung up around the African American community in the Bronx in New York City during the late 1970s, during a trip to Bhopal where a group of children were teaching themselves how to rap. “I was shocked by the passion and determination of the students… That’s when one of our department’s professors came up with the idea of taking the passion of the students further.”
The course will be 15 weeks long, and admissions for the same have already begun.
“Though as of now it’s at an explorative stage — according to the response from students — the department will propose a diploma course and master’s degree in the discipline,” he added.
According to Dr Ranade, a great number of women and students from the backward section are interested in the course.
Professor Yatindra Ingle, the coordinator of the course, said, “There will be international trips for students and several renowned hip-hop artistes will be invited to give their insights to improve their knowledge and exposure.”
Ashfaq Amiri, a first-year BCom student who attends local hip-hop classes in Sion, feels this course is unique and it will motivate students who gravitate towards the performing arts. “I would love to take this course. As it’s only a 15-week one, it would not even have a major impact on my studies,” he said.
