Yale Launches Beyoncé Course on Cultural Impact

Yale University is launching a new course titled 'Beyoncé Makes History: Black Radical Tradition History, Culture, Theory & Politics Through Music,' starting in the spring semester of 2025. Led by Professor Daphne Brooks, the course will explore Beyoncé's artistic contributions from 2013 to 2024, focusing on her influence on Black history, politics, and culture. Brooks emphasized the timeliness of the course, given Beyoncé's significant impact on music and activism, stating that her work offers a unique lens to examine themes of race, gender, and identity. The class will include visual album screenings, scholarly discussions, and playlist crafting, allowing students to engage deeply with Beyoncé's discography. This academic initiative comes as Beyoncé's latest album, 'Cowboy Carter,' has garnered 11 Grammy nominations, further solidifying her status as a cultural icon. The course reflects a growing trend in academia, where artists like Kendrick Lamar and JAY-Z have also been subjects of university study.