Sociology Hip-Hop Lesson Plan titled: “Protest” - Verbal and Physical Conflict

Students will engage in a close analysis of the texts and develop an awareness of the literary techniques employed. They will use Mos Def’s ‘Mathematics’ to bridge a link between rap’s emphasis on lyrical technique and skill, the literary techniques used, and the wider contextual issues: protest, violence, police and prisons. Verbal battles and expressing lyrical skill is common in rap dialogue: students are encouraged to extend analysis to draw parallels between this and the context.