Bun B to Teach Hip-Hop And Religion Class at Rice University

If Bill Gates wanted to teach a class...would you turn him down? I don't think so and if you were so caught up in him having an degree (inspite of his accomplishments)that would be your loss. I am also a university professor. I say, GO RICE!

If Bill Gates wanted to teach a class...would you turn him down? I don't think so and if you were so caught up in him having an degree (inspite of his accomplishments)that would be your loss. I am also a university professor. I say, GO RICE!

azcajn- There are more religions than Christian and Muslim. Though neither would ever admit it.
Also, since the article didn't reference any qualifications, we can assume there are none.

Bulldog- Hip hop is actually very significant culturally here in the U.S. And should be included in any cirriculum that may include American Music History, or, Music Appreciation. Just because you dislike a thing, does not invalidate it, or, make it "Liberal". As to the dumbing down, that's a choice you can make for yourself. I choose not to be dumbed down, and, would very much like not to be included in any group of people who have chosen otherwise.

Finally, as a black person, who has availed himself of an education, I just have to say once again, that allowing ANYONE TO TEACH ANYTHING without proper credentials is a huge mistake!
But, the reactionary,and,often insulting tenor of this discussion has proven to me that education in the ability to express oneself clearly,and, concisely is very sorely needed.

My question is, "What are his qualifacations to be teaching these classes? Also, he is teaching religion??? .. at a public University???? What religion ... Muslum or Christian????

Someone had mentioned about hip hop and its significance, scholastically! Please enlighten us on it's significant value as it pertains in the university?? We are all dumbing down fast with no end in sight..leave it to the liberals, for Christ sakes..!!

I don't care what anybody says this is a horrible idea....and I'm Black. Some people on here are saying hip hop is a culture and not all of the rappers rap about sex and drugs and violence....but Bun B does. I've heard many of his raps and none of them (that I've heard) were about anything positive that would uplift the Black community as well as the country. That being said how can you expect people not to hate this idea? I mean we don't know what he would teach them but using his own music as an example it doesn't look good...at all. Honestly I would probably feel different if an artist like Mos Def or Common were in this position b/c they are examples of hip hop artists who use their platform to program some knowledge into the listeners. I honestly can't believe that Rice is going to do this, but at the same time the students won't be forced to take the course so if they volunteer it's on them...but I do think it's a huge waste of money.

Those of us who have legitimate degrees (plural) have a hard enough time trying to get a job with a university. Why is the value of a degree always beiing undervalued.

wow no wonder this country gets dumber and dumber.
im black, and i am ashamed of this.

ask yourselves do you like to live around ghetto people?

because this is what its coming to everybody will eventually become ghetto trash.

the hip hop culture has obviously been a negative thing since it started. kids follow it, they shoot each other, they have kids too young and out of wedlock, they sell drugs, and this music encourages it. which is adding to the young uneducated masses out here. trying to live the "thug" life.

and we know what happens when kids dont have education, but how can you be a parent when you have no education? this is why the black race has been constantly failiing throughout world history. What was our biggest achievement, Egypt? even thats questionable whether or not they were europeans.

now this bulls-it is in the institutions of learning?
college is where you send you children to in hopes that they will learn to become PRODUCTIVE members of society, not RAPPERS. in hopes that they may be able to change the way the world works, not take it ten steps back with the thug nature.

open mindedness is all good and well, but you lose all respect if you dont stand for anything and fall for everything.

and by the way have any of you ever heard this guy rap?

all he talks about are guns,drugs,murder,sex, pimpin hoes. I USED TO LISTEN TO HIM AND THE REST OF THAT BULLSHIT, BUT THEN I GREW UP.

hip hop/rap have ZERO educational value whatsoever.
you other blacks can come up with whatever bullshit excuse you want, it's NOT an important part of language arts or such, stop fooling youreselves, youre in denial because you just want whites to accept our culture. Kids already learn about metaphors and simlies, in ENGLISH CLASS, NOT EBONICS CLASS, THEY DONT NEED TO LEARN IT AGAIN IN THE CONTEXT OF HOES AND BITCHES.

Youre only part of the problem with the black community and now this country supporting ideas like this. I dont think kids should be studying 2Pac either.

and this would not even be acceptable as a music course, there no REAL FCKING instruments involved.
its not even suitable for creative writing, leave that hip/hop bulls-it for at home, and when you hang with your friends, but if youre paying to learn, go to be successful not part of the problem.

god damn, this world is coming to an end.

What did most of you expect from some of these commentator about a black man in the hip hop world teaching at a high respected University in a America Bun B does have a master's degree in the music business you don't spend 20yrs doing some thing and creating such relevance in the business succeeding to the level of Underground Kings, they mastered marketing,production,creative control,and most of all how not to get jerk for the material that he created and the money from the like's of some of the same people thats a little paler from the same Univesity or Universities in this country you make it seems that a degree gives those others a license to steal because your're suppose to be smarter, please he his more than qualify.

i agree with Oldkc5150. It may not be a great idea to employ someone without teaching experience or credentials, but a course in hip hop is not totally useless. For people who are seriously attempting to start a music career this may be the right choice for them; and there are certainly less practical majors (basket-weaving is a major. no joke.)