Hip Hop Studies

The Hip-Hop Studies minor at Seton Hall University explores hip-hop as a powerful cultural, artistic and social movement that has shaped global conversations around identity, creativity and social change. Through an interdisciplinary curriculum, students examine hip-hop’s influence across media, education, community engagement and social justice.

The program invites students from majors across the University to study hip-hop as both a cultural framework and a tool for storytelling, activism and creative expression. Students analyze the history and global impact of hip-hop while developing the ability to apply its ideas to contemporary issues in education, media, technology and public life.

Through research, creative production and community-focused projects, students gain practical skills in cultural analysis, media literacy and digital storytelling while exploring how hip-hop continues to shape society.

Resources:

Curriculum

The Hip-Hop Studies Minor requires 15 credits (five courses) designed to provide a foundation in hip-hop culture and opportunities for interdisciplinary exploration.

Required courses include:

Introduction to Hip-Hop Studies
Urban Education Through the Context of Hip-Hop
Community, Culture, Creativity and Hip-Hop
Hip-Hop as Social Justice and Activism
Hip-Hop Studies Capstone - a culminating experience in which students complete a major research or creative project connecting hip-hop studies to their academic major.

Undergraduate Catalogue
Academic Calendar
Course Exam Schedules

Suggested Majors to Pair With This Minor

The Hip-Hop Studies Minor is interdisciplinary and can complement a wide range of majors across the University. Students can use the minor to deepen their understanding of culture, storytelling and social impact while enhancing the focus of their primary field of study.
Majors that pair particularly well include:

Africana Studies
Communication, Media and the Arts
Digital Media Arts
Education and Educational Studies
Journalism and Sports Media
Music and Performing Arts
Political Science
Psychology
Public Relations and Strategic Communication
Sociology and Anthropology

Students are encouraged to integrate the minor with their major through research projects, creative work and the program’s capstone experience.

Skills and Career Applications

The Hip-Hop Studies Minor prepares students to understand culture as a powerful force in media, education and social change. Through interdisciplinary coursework and creative projects, students learn how to analyze cultural movements, communicate ideas effectively and produce meaningful media and storytelling.

Students develop valuable skills in:

Cultural analysis and critical thinking
Storytelling and media communication
Digital media and content creation
Research and creative project development
Community engagement and social impact

These skills translate into a wide range of career paths, including:

Media production and digital content creation
Journalism and cultural reporting
Public relations and marketing
Music and entertainment industries
Education and youth development
Community organizations and nonprofit leadership
Cultural programming and arts management

The minor also provides a strong foundation for graduate study in fields such as communication, education, cultural studies and media studies

Faculty

The faculty in our internationally recognized research and teaching programs are committed to guiding students to success. Seton Hall is a Catholic University where great thinkers do more than think. They teach.

View Profiles »

Edmund Adjapong in a gray suit sitting on stairs posing

Edmund Adjapong
Associate Professor
View Profile

Experience Seton Hall. Visit Us Today.

As one of the country's leading Catholic universities, Seton Hall has been developing students in mind, heart and spirit since 1856. Home to nearly 10,000 undergraduate and graduate students, Seton Hall is a place that nurtures compassionate leaders who are prepared to make a difference in the world.

Seton Hall offers all the advantages of a large research university -a national reputation;challenging academic programs;notable alumni;state-of-the-art facilities;renowned faculty;and extensive opportunities for internships, research and scholarship -with all the benefits of a small, supportive and nurturing environment.