The U is offering a concentrated week-long class on the history of hip-hop this summer so students can bust a move.

Sepuloni Pulu, a sophomore in business administration, is enrolled in the class this semester and said it’s a great way to widen student perspective on hip-hop.

Pulu is already well-versed in the style of dance; he participates in two different groups in the Salt Lake Valley. He said this class helped him better comprehend the breadth and complexity of the dance style.

“There’s more to it than what people think it is – money, sex, drugs,” Pulu said. “When it first came out it was also a political movement, used to protest and stuff like that. It has real issues.”

Developed in black communities in New York City during the early 1970s, the movement later exploded, becoming popular throughout the world and influencing art, film and modern musical styles.

Sara Pickett, course instructor, developed the class to find a balance between educational and fun. Pickett said every student has something to take away, regardless of their background or familiarity with the subject. Pickett, who graduated from the U with a Masters of Fine Art in modern dance, will also teach the first week-long intensive course this summer.

The class is designed for non-majors, and fulfills fine arts and diversity credits. It aims to educate students on history, culture and ties to art and music, with emphasis on dance. Once every few classes will be a “movement” day, where students learn various hip-hop moves.

Rachel Savage, a U alum, was a guest instructor on the first movement day this semester. Savage graduated in 2012 with degrees in finance and psychology, but instead decided to follow her passion and founded Savage Hip Hop, contracting with after-school programs and summer camps to educate youth on modern dance. In this class, she helped students slowly break down moves so even those without dance experience could start moving to the music.

Stephen Koester, chair of the Department of Modern Dance, said the course aims to go into “cultural issues, current events, pop culture, urban issues, as well as diversity, gender and race.”

Koester said the department would like to expand the class if demand continues, but scheduling is a current conflict.

History of Hip-Hop is offered summer semester at the U Sandy center every day from May 9 to May 13, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The course is worth three credits, has a $10 fee, and is open to all students.

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