Beyoncé to be the Subject of a New Yale Course

In a groundbreaking move that reflects her monumental impact on music and culture, Beyoncé will be the focus of a new course at the prestigious Ivy League institution, Yale University, starting next year. The course is titled Beyoncé Makes History: Black Radical Tradition, Culture, Theory & Politics Through Music and will examine her artistic evolution, particularly from her acclaimed 2013 self-titled album through her latest release, Cowboy Carter.

This latest country album has recently garnered 11 Grammy nominations, a remarkable achievement following its unexpected exclusion from the Country Music Association Awards. With these nominations, Beyoncé has solidified her status as the most nominated artist in Grammy history, amassing an impressive total of 99 nominations.

The course will delve into how Beyoncé, as a singer, songwriter, and entrepreneur, has fostered awareness and engagement surrounding various social and political ideologies. Professor Daphne Brooks, who teaches African American Studies at Yale, aims to utilize Beyoncé’s extensive repertoire as a “portal” for students to explore the works of significant Black intellectuals, ranging from the legendary Frederick Douglass to the celebrated Toni Morrison.

“We’re going to take seriously the ways in which the critical and intellectual contributions of some of our greatest thinkers in American culture resonate with Beyoncé’s music,” Brooks explained. She intends to analyze how these philosophies can be applied to her work and how they sometimes diverge from the “Black radical intellectual tradition.”

It’s noteworthy that Beyoncé is not the first artist to inspire a college-level course. Over the years, various institutions have offered classes centered around the iconic singer-songwriter Bob Dylan, as well as pop sensations Lady Gaga and Taylor Swift. Recently, the University of Ghent in Belgium has also introduced courses focused on studying Swift’s lyricism and her pop stardom.

However, Brooks posits that Beyoncé occupies a unique position in the musical landscape. She praises the artist for her ability to “spectacularly elevate awareness of and engagement with grassroots social and political ideologies and movements” through her music, specifically highlighting her connection to the Black Lives Matter movement and her commentary on Black feminism.

“Can you think of any other pop musician who’s invited a diverse array of grassroots activists to participate in the long-form multimedia album projects she has presented since 2013?” Brooks queried. She emphasized how Beyoncé has woven narratives around “race, gender, and sexuality in the context of the 400-plus years of African-American subjugation.”

“She’s a fascinating artist because the concept of historical memory, which I often refer to, along with the impulse to preserve that historical memory, is intricately present throughout her work,” Brooks remarked. “You simply don’t see that depth of reflection and engagement with history in any other artist.”

For students fortunate enough to secure a spot in the upcoming semester’s class, it’s essential to temper expectations regarding the possibility of an in-person visit from Queen Bey herself. “It’s unfortunate because if she were on tour, I would undoubtedly try to arrange for the class to see her live,” Brooks lamented.