Ear to the Streets

Abstract

Learning communities are defined as linked courses that encourage integration of the curriculum, help students establish academic and social support networks, and bring the faculty together to collaborate in meaningful ways. The purpose of this article is to describe a learning community based on two linked courses with an African American popular culture theme. The design, function, and process of this learning community are described, and results of focus group evaluations are delineated. In addition, the learning community concept’s application to African American students is considered. Specifically this learning community focused on race, hip-hop, and sport. The high visibility of African American athletes and entertainers has spawned a phenomenon in the African American community, the United States, and the world that merit careful study.