isp 102, fall quarter 2003
Professor Peter Vandenberg

An introduction to the phenomenon of graffiti in the city of Chicago, Explore Chicago Graffiti is a course in DePaul University's Chicago Quarter, a component of the First Year Program. We will examine the history of graffiti and responses to it, situating Chicago graffiti in a larger national context, and learning about how graffiti functions in Chicago today. Graffiti is typically understood as "the unauthorized production of text open to public view"; while we will explore perspectives on graffiti that consider it as crime or vandalism, we will also view it as purposeful communication--cultural production reflective of lived social and economic circumstances in the Windy City.

This particular section of ISP 102 has a service learning component; we will work with the University of Hip Hop, an affiliate of the Southwest Youth Collaborative that works with Chicago kids on elements of Hip Hop--inlcuding break dancing, emceeing, graffiti mural painting, and djaying--after school and on weekends across the city.

student projects

John, Julie, Theresa
L-Train, Mondiddy, J to that Izzo
Alexis, Justine, Marj
Mari, Jess, Ania
Kate
Jennie, Adam, Lena
Sherryl, Chris, Christine

course tours and guest speakers

Hyde Park Tour with Lavie Raven and students of Kenwood Academy, 9/22/03

Graffiti Blasters Demonstration with City of Chicago Streets and Sanitation, 9/29/03

Graffiti Tour of Humboldt Park with Pam Izvanariu, DePaul senior and HP resident and community activist, 10/6/03

 

Class visit by UIC Professor Ralph Cintron, author of Angels' Town and gang graffiti expert, 10/13/03

 

Class visit by Detective Rose Gordon of the Chicago Police Department's Gang Unit, 10/29/03

community partners
university of hip hop chapters, chicago

Southwest Youth Collaborative
Senn High School
Marquette Park High School
Alternatives