Georgetown University Starts Offering Jay-Z Class

Jay-Z has become such a polarizing figure in the worlds of hip-hop, fashion and business that a class at Georgetown university has begun teaching the philosophies and practices of the world’s top rapper.

Author and radio host Michael Eric Dyson is currently offering students the chance to take part in his class titled “Sociology of Hip-Hop—Urban Theodicy of Jay-Z and according to the classes curriculum listing it seeks “the intellectual, theological, philosophical predicate for Jay-Z’s argument.”

Speaking to the Washington Post Dyson says of his lectures and educational discussions:

“This is not a class meant to sit around and go, ‘Oh man, those lyrics were dope,’” while he adds, “We’re dealing with everything that’s important in a sociology class: race, gender, ethnicity, class, economic inequality, social injustice.”

When confronted by parents who believe their children are wasting their time Dyson says he invited them to sit in on his class to better understand how Jay-Z’s “body of work has proved to be powerful, effective and influential. And it’s time to wrestle with it.”

Given the number of professors who teach Klingon and other strange subjects I have to say at least this particular class might make sense from a pop cultural and business perspective. Would you be willing to take a Jay-Z class?

[Image via Adam J. Sablich / Shutterstock.com]