Beyoncé, one of the most influential artists in the music industry with 32 Grammy Awards and 99 nominations, is now the focus of a new course at Yale University starting next year. Titled “Beyoncé Creates History: The Black Radical Tradition in History, Culture, Theory, and Politics through Music,” the course will delve into her music, from her 2013 self-titled album to her most recent release, Cowboy Carter, which debuted in March.
The course, set to begin next spring, will explore how the global superstar, singer-songwriter, and entrepreneur has raised awareness and driven engagement in social and political issues through her music.
Taught by Daphne Brooks, a renowned author, and professor specializing in African American studies and music, the course will make use of Beyoncé’s extensive catalog, including live performance clips, to guide students in understanding the works of Black intellectuals from Frederick Douglass to Toni Morrison.
“I’m looking forward to exploring her entire body of work and studying how, among other things, historical memory, Black feminist politics, and Black liberation philosophies have shaped her music in the last decade,” Brooks told NBC News. “Beyoncé’s groundbreaking experiments with album formats have allowed her to mobilize these themes in profound ways.”
This is not the first time Beyoncé’s career has made its way into classrooms. Universities in Texas, California, and Arizona have previously offered similar courses, analyzing her artistic work and the powerful impact she has had on pop culture, as reported by the BBC.
Through this new course, students will gain a deeper understanding of how Beyoncé’s music has helped shape the cultural and political landscape, making her not just a musical icon but also a vital figure in global social movements.
