November 12, 2024: Yale University is set to launch a groundbreaking course titled “Beyoncé Makes History: Black Radical Tradition, Culture, Theory & Politics Through Music,” led by African American Studies Professor Daphne Brooks. This one-credit course will examine Queen Bey’s influence on music, politics, and social movements from her 2013 self-titled album through her latest work, “Cowboy Carter.”
Professor Brooks aims to use Queen Bey’s work as a “portal” for students to explore the philosophies of Black intellectuals, from Frederick Douglass to Toni Morrison, and examine how these ideas resonate within Beyoncé’s art. According to Brooks, Beyoncé has uniquely elevated discussions on race, gender, and activism in America. “She’s a fascinating artist because historical memory and the impulse to archive that memory are integral to her work,” Brooks said.
The course will include analysis of Queen Bey’s live performances and will provide a deep dive into how her music intersects with movements like Black Lives Matter. This new offering reflects a growing trend in academia to study pop culture icons like Beyoncé and Taylor Swift to engage students with social and political discourse.
