Yale University is launching a new class focused entirely on Beyoncé ’s influence. For their upcoming spring semester, Yale added the “Beyoncé Makes History: Black Radical Tradition History, Culture, Theory & Politics Through Music” course in which the icon’s work will be analyzed and interpreted as it relates to Black history . Taught by Daphne Brooks, a professor of African American studies and music , the course will follow her work over 11 years, from 2013 to 2024.
The goal of the course, as explained in the Yale Daily News , is to view her art, fashion, “visual media,” and performance through an intellectual lens, seeing how they all carry political and cultural significance. Students will be taught to further understand the experience of Black females in politics and media through reading assignments and discussions. Texts from Cedric Robinson, Karl Hagstrom Miller, and Hortense Spillers will be viewed in tandem with humanitarian projects and Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Libray’s archives.
Brooks intends to separate Beyoncé from her “typical pop repertoire,” as the star did for herself during certain eras of her career, meaning the course will focus more on the latter years. Speaking to the Yale Daily News , Brooks detailed her intention to introduce this new class following the 2024 US election that saw Donald Trump become the 47th president . “[This class] seemed good to teach because [Beyoncé] is just so ripe for teaching at this mome.
