Breaking Down the Groove

After teaching hip-hop dance at the U for a few years, Sara Pickett MFA’09 realized her students were curious about the backstory and impact of the music and moves. So she started History of Hip-Hop, a unique class that explores hip-hop’s cultural origins and evolution, its sociopolitical underpinnings, and its ties to other art forms. In the two semesters Pickett has taught the class, which is open to all majors, discussions have covered topics from the nature of race to misogyny to white privilege. The course is also infused with movement days featuring guest instructors who teach breaking, West Coast locking and popping, and other hip-hop dance styles.

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