The Grooviest Online Degree: Bootsy's Bachelor of Funk

Put a glide in your stride, a dip in your hip, and come on down to Funk University.

Bootsy Collins, a legendary bassist who played for James Brown and Parliament-Funkadelic, is starting an online program for bass players. Professor Bootsy's fledgling funkateers will commence their schooling July 1.

"Wow, I just can't keep all this funk to myself," Bootsy explains in a video laying out his vision for the school.

According to SoulTracks, that vision got started with one message to the 370,000 people who follow Bootsy's Twitter account: "If You Build It, They Will Funk."

And funk they did.

Announcements of new online programs rarely get any attention, but Bootsy's e-learning debut is going viral. Wired Campus tried to grab a piece of the four-string funk for Chronicle readers. Unfortunately, the P-Master of the Universe was unavailable for an interview.

Comments

1. rejani - May 28, 2010 at 07:41 am

Although I have had my doctorate for some time I find Prof. Collins program an intriguing continuing education possibility.

REJ

2. 11223140 - May 28, 2010 at 10:07 am

Wow, I would be Up For The Down stroke at Bootsy U, in a heartbeat...or at least a bassline. Uncle Jam Wants You, so since we are One Nation Under A Groove, as long as we remember that as you Free Your Mind...Your (other body part) Will Follow, it will all be deliciously Funkadelic.

3. joshybear - May 28, 2010 at 02:29 pm

What a cool story. Bootsy is a true talent, and I'm glad he gets a chance to share his musical genuis with others! Maybe a "mainstream" university with a school of music will put him on staff!