Next year, Yale University will introduce a new course centered on pop icon Beyoncé, who boasts a remarkable 99 Grammy nominations and is recognized as one of the most significant musical figures in history. This class will explore her extensive cultural impact and legacy.
Named “Beyoncé Makes History: Black Radical Tradition, Culture, Theory & Politics Through Music,” the one-credit course will examine her artistic evolution, beginning with her self-titled album in 2013 and continuing through her latest work, the genre-defying “Cowboy Carter.” Students will analyze how Beyoncé has actively promoted social and political awareness through her music.
Professor Daphne Brooks, who teaches African American Studies at Yale, plans to utilize Beyoncé’s diverse body of work, including video recordings of her powerful live performances, as a means to introduce students to key Black intellectuals like Frederick Douglass and Toni Morrison. “The course will connect the critical insights of these eminent thinkers with Beyoncé’s music, exploring how her work sometimes aligns or contrasts with the ‘Black radical intellectual tradition,’” explained Brooks.
Beyoncé Giselle Knowles-Carter’s influence isn’t unique in an academic context; other artists like Bob Dylan and Taylor Swift have also been the focus of university courses. While several institutions have offered classes on Swift’s lyrics and cultural significance, professors aim to engage students by connecting celebrity contexts to complex legal concepts.
Some educators at various institutions have incorporated Beyoncé into their syllabi and even designed entire courses around her. Brooks, however, sees her as a trailblazer. She notes that Beyoncé has uniquely harnessed her platform to significantly raise awareness of important grassroots social and political movements, such as Black Lives Matter, alongside feminist themes in her music.
“Can you think of another pop musician who has invited so many grassroots activists to take part in her long-form multimedia album projects since 2013?” Brooks challenged. She emphasized Beyoncé’s narrative exploration of crucial themes like race, gender, and sexuality, all within the more than 400-year history of African American oppression.
For those fortunate enough to enroll next semester, the chance to see Queen Bey perform in person won’t be part of the experience. “It’s unfortunate, because if she were on tour, I would certainly bring the class to see her,” Brooks lamented.
