Too Cool for School? Our #experts can help with a history lesson in hipness

Who decides what’s “cool?” What have been the criteria over the years for rising to the ranks of “hot,” “phat” or “lit?”

Colin Rafferty teaches a course that delves into the elusive but ever-so-attractive notion of being deemed “cool.”

The syllabus examines this coveted quality and the entities described by it in historical and contemporary contexts, from its roots in the post-WWI jazz-age to rappers and TikTok.

“The Idea of Cool” uses books, music and movies to explore what and who rises to the top of popular opinion and why.

“I am decidedly not cool,” said Rafferty, who describes himself as a middle-aged man who owns a book of crossword puzzles. “But I find cool to be a fascinating thing.”

Colin is available to speak with media about “The Idea of Cool” and his very cool work . Simply click on his icon to arrange an interview.