Whoa, whoa, whoa. I disagree with your implications that the class is without merit.

True, most college classes work on developing knowledge, rather than skills, but I taught undergrad math modeling when I was at UW a few years ago, and those kids coming from US high schools are noticeably lacking in critical thinking skills. By drawing them in with a topic that interests them, the class gets them to start examining themes, symbolism, and implications in the worlds they build for themselves.

This is a good skills class for them, although it's baiting their attendance with a popular figure, and I'm sure that the interpretations, themselves would probably drive me insane. (Mumia?!! Idiot.) It's just a start, a 101 class.

I agree in principle that popular culture can be a valid field for academic study. But the course described here fails to make the case that it is the best use of scarce funds.

Its really unreal how wacko Universities and their professor have gone. Saturday Night Live could only do justice to this but probably wouldn't do it. Post Eddie Murphy the show has never dared to go after the now nonsense like this if it relates to African Americans.

Hm. We have a red herring. I'm not just arguing that popular culture is a valid field of study, as that argument is easily made and often supported (my dad, a darn good PhD physicist always says that the best course he ever took at UW was "History of Jazz"). Rather, I'm saying that US public high schools have degenerated to the point where we must welcome classes founded on shaky topics because they develop ana awareness of life skills that have long gone missing.

Well, this is true in all schools, not just public. Have you noticed how many young girls wear the d@mn playboy bunny symbol or wear the "pornstar" clothing brand? I give talks to teenagers. You would be shocked how many are genuinely surprised when I point out that these clothes imply something about them personally. Uh, if I wore clothes styled after police officers, I shouldn't be surprised if people asked me for help. I point out that men would treat them better if they looked as if they thought they deserved it. Truly shocking for nearly all.

Regarding the point of view of Tupac 101, we can even learn from our mistakes.

They're teaching about hip hop as if its some new phenomen of invented music. All it is is taking beats and often exact songs from the 70's and 80's beats and putting in rappers to rhythms and beats, staccatos etc...

Second, we both know its being taught by a lunatic left wing nutjob professor, indulge my adjectives, who is actually teaching these kids that he was the black jesus, as if he was anything but a rich, angry, blunt smoking kid from the hood who put his talents into music and acting......... BIG WUP!!! But in our pathetic pop culture he's a black Jesus, but not a black guy who becomes a doctor and instead of taking a job downtown for mucho dinero takes a job in the Bronx often providing free medical services to people who otherwise wouldn't get any.

ITS JUST PATHETIC IS WHAT THE F IT IS.....
THE PROFESSOR IS AS PATHETIC AS THE KIDS AND SHOULD KNOW BETTER AT THIS POINT. LOOK AT THAT FREEK HOLDING UP THE BOOKS LIKES SHE'S FOLLOWING THE FING DALI LAMA OR SOMETHING!! MORON.....

She wouldn't want me in that class. I grew up in a mixed neighborhood and listen to rap and hip hop and would enjoy mocking the hell out of her..... patronizing phony.

Mike

What the heck is she doing wearing her ballcap with the brim to the front! She's clearly not qualified to teach anything about the rap world.

Personally, I feel that many of the comments posted in this site are ignorant. I think that teaching a class on Tupac Shakur's work is not only genius but should be recognized at a higher education. High level universities use the teachings of Shakespeare and Aristotle on a regular basis. Is Tupac not the modern day Shakespeare and Philosopher of the ghetto. People of such places need a figure such as Tupac in order to learn and understand the importance of knowledge. Tupac gives everyone from these ghetto communities in America hope. His reason for being here very well may have been for the growth of inner city children and society. Who will these people listen to? I'm sure they will have an easier time listening to the words of Tupac's teachings than someone that does not understand them. Tupac is known as a leader that possessed great strength, acceptance, and understanding. Just because he has a few unadmirable reports on his police record doesn't take these attributes away from the man that rose above many obstacles. He is a leader of the ghetto and where else would you like to see his followers be lead than the classroom. Think about it...

Hey Dane, i totally agree with you, FINALLY someone who noticed HOW IGNORANT all these people who made comments here are. Its so typical: people who dont know SHIT about Shakur dare to post their opinion in here...

LOl @ the guy who thought Shakur had anything to do with the sexual assault.

Other comments made here, are (to me) BULLSHIT, JUST IGNORANT FOLK, who needs to study properly before saying aynthing. Go home and LEARN first.

I believe that everyone who who is great is usually misunderstood. Tupac adresses the pain of growing up poor and wanting we as a people to all be on top. Tupacs only goal was to see everyone who ever experienced the pain of the ghetto to either embrace it or work with him to abolish it. i think it is a wonderful idea to teach tupac 101 because our youth need to learn that the only way to succeed is to come togather as one. to be great is to be misunderstood.

Tupac wasn't just a rapper / poet / actor. He saw the suffering that himself and others around him were suffering. He wanted to change the world, as he said himself, even if he doesn't change the world he will spark the brain that does change the world.

Tupac didn't just rap, he expressed alot of his teachings in his music, his poetry, in his life. He was prepared to live a short life in order to change the rough life people were living. He isn't merely a rapper, thug, poet or actor. He was a legend who deserves to be noted in history. Just like in the past normal people fought for rights and became famous, tupac is like them. I've not really read the course description but I would presume this course teaches the things that tupac taught, not hip hop / rap.

I have grown up on tupacs music poetry & movies... i look forward to attending some of these college courses TUPAC AMARU SHAKUR thanx...Cali love