Harvard class on 'The Wire'

[illionaire]

[h1]Harvard class on 'The Wire'[/h1]
Post staff writer

Last Updated: 4:36 AM, November 2, 2009

Posted: 1:36 AM, November 2, 2009
'T<p></p><br>HE Wire," HBO's gritty se ries about life in theBaltimore ghetto, is about to become a course at Harvard.<p></p><br>The announcement came at a panel discussion at the school featuringseveral of the show's stars, according to the Harvard studentnewspaper, The Crimson.<p> </p><br>The class will be taught by sociology professor William J. Wilson, oneof the best-known African American history professors in the country,who has made no secret of the fact that he is a huge fan of theshow.<p> </p><br>"I do not hesitate to say that it has done more to enhance ourunderstanding of the challenges of urban life and the problems of urbaninequality, more than any other media event or scholarly publication,"Wilson told the audience before poking fun at himself, "includingstudies by social scientitsts."<p> </p><br>Sonja Sohn, who played Det. Kima Gregs, Andre Royo (Bubbles) andMichael Kenneth Williams (Omar Little) were on the panel talking aboutthe show's unusual impact.<p> </p><br>The series ran for five seasons, starting in 2002. Each year, it tookon a different aspect of urban life -- from drugs to schools to thenews media.<p> </p><br>Harvard will be not the first college course on "The Wire." Otherstudents commented on The Crimson's site that courses on the TV showalready exist at Duke University and Middlebury College.<p></p><br>
'THE Wire," HBO's gritty se ries about life in the Baltimore ghetto, is about to become a course at Harvard.

The announcement came at a panel discussion at the school featuring several of the show's stars, according to the Harvard student newspaper, The Crimson.

The class will be taught by sociology professor William J. Wilson, one of the best-known African American history professors in the country, who has made no secret of the fact that he is a huge fan of the show.

"I do not hesitate to say that it has done more to enhance our understanding of the challenges of urban life and the problems of urban inequality, more than any other media event or scholarly publication," Wilson told the audience before poking fun at himself, "including studies by social scientitsts."

Star Michael Kenneth Williams

Sonja Sohn, who played Det. Kima Gregs, Andre Royo (Bubbles) and Michael Kenneth Williams (Omar Little) were on the panel talking about the show's unusual impact.

The series ran for five seasons, starting in 2002. Each year, it took on a different aspect of urban life -- from drugs to schools to the news media.

Harvard will be not the first college course on "The Wire." Other students commented on The Crimson's site that courses on the TV show already exist at Duke University and Middlebury College.

Read more: http://www.nypost.com/p/entertainme...the_wire_TxvbS2nzKJOzClVuOxRDmI#ixzz0VjFP7F0k

 

[951guero]

Really dont know what to say to this

 

[stixx]

**!

 

[seymore cake]

Show was and still is theeeee truth. Social Mirror to what American society chooses to ignore. *Salutes Simon and Burns*

 

[incredibleev]

im pretty sure Duke already teaches a course based around The Wire and maybe a couple other colleges. Still pretty dope to see...I can think of a bunch ofshows and movies that would make great subjects for college courses

 

[airmaxpenny1]

Best show ever, and the single best piece of media created in the past 20 years.

 

[mytmouse76]

Don't they already have a class on Pac or is that Howard?

 

[lemonade41]

they're gonna have a class at my school(Alabama) about it

 

[lazy b]

This is nothing new. Syracuse's school of Communications (Newhouse) had this course two years ago.

Crank is turning in his grave.

The article was like a 30 second read and you guys still did not read it?! Jeez.
Of course it was read but the article wasn't worth the time typing and putting into print.

 

[je ne sais quoi]

Crank is turning in his grave.

 

[goldman stacks]

Another class that results in ivy league Grade inflation.

I'm guessing 60% of the class gets As in this one.

 

[much respected]

Harvard will be not the first college course on "The Wire." Other students commented on The Crimson's site that courses on the TV show already exist at Duke University and Middlebury College.

The article was like a 30 second read and you guys still did not read it?! Jeez.

 

[tsamshox]

Didn't UCLA have a class on Tupac?

"Welcome class to Thug Motivation 101.......I am your instructor Professor Andre Young

"

 

[spsfinest212]

This is stupid.

 

[servechilled81]

i'd be down for any class where the textbook is a box set.

 

[eight2one]

I would so get an A+++++!


Honestly tho, everytime I cycle thru my seasons of The Wire, I pick up something new, I realize something new, and I am fed new food for thought.

 

[deuce king]

I'm surprised they would offer a course like this at Harvard of all places, but maybe it will be beneficial to students there as they can learn about aculture that they might not be aware of.

 

[stoneyjax]

maan i wish my school had offered courses like this... maybe i would have made the deans list more often

 

[yung718.hoodtalk2]

THESE @%@++* DONT KNOW @+#* ABOUT MY CULTURE

 

[illionaire]

Originally Posted by spsfinest212

This is stupid.

Why are you upset?

Let's talk about it.

 

[i drink your milkshake]

it's always funny that the WHITEST institutions have the blackest courses

But professors at HBCUs may just causally bring the show up or artists up, or songs up casually as it applies to whatever we learning....I still wish moreHBCUs would do that though---

 

[sirdilbert2k10]

My little brother went to Harvard a couple days ago to watch a few of the cast members speak. Omar, detective Greggs and bubbles.

 

[doublejs07]

Originally Posted by Deuce King

I'm surprised they would offer a course like this at Harvard of all places, but maybe it will be beneficial to students there as they can learn about a culture that they might not be aware of.

There are sheltered kids at EVERY college/university in the US (HBCU's included)...singling out Harvard...for well, being Harvard isn'ttoo fair. This would be a good/interesting course to offer anywhere. Props to Harvard for even having this as an option for kids to take.

 

[retro330]

i need put on to this