Beyoncé Knowles-Carter, an icon whose influence transcends music, will now be the subject of an academic course at Yale University. The course, titled “Beyoncé Makes History: Black Radical Tradition, Culture, Theory & Politics Through Music,” will be offered next year at the prestigious Ivy League institution, giving students the opportunity to examine the cultural and political impact of the global superstar’s work.
Taught by Daphne Brooks, Professor of African American Studies at Yale, the course will delve deep into Beyoncé’s career, exploring how her music, performances, and public persona have raised awareness about social issues, politics, and Black cultural life. As one of the most influential musicians of her generation, Beyoncé’s contributions to music, culture, and activism have sparked conversation and debate, making her an ideal subject for academic inquiry.
The course will explore Beyoncé’s extensive music catalogue, from her groundbreaking 2013 self-titled album to her most recent project, Cowboy Carter, which has earned her 11 additional nominations at the 2025 Grammy Awards, pushing her total to an unprecedented 99 nominations—the most by any artist in Grammy history. Her impact on the music industry is undeniable, and Cowboy Carter, which emphasizes the often-overlooked contributions of Black country artists, continues to break records and shine a spotlight on the roots of the genre.
Professor Brooks plans to use Beyoncé’s work as a lens to teach students about the lives and ideas of other pivotal Black intellectuals, such as Toni Morrison and Frederick Douglass. This approach underscores Beyoncé’s influence beyond music, positioning her as a cultural force capable of engaging with history, politics, and social movements in ways few others have achieved.
As Brooks shared with the Yale Daily News, “The number of breakthroughs and innovations she’s executed and the way she’s interwoven history and politics…into her performance aesthetics and her utilization of her voice as a portal to think about history and politics — there’s just no one like her.” The course will allow students to examine the ways in which Beyoncé has integrated Black cultural life into her artistry, while simultaneously engaging with larger issues of race, gender, and identity.
Beyoncé’s legacy continues to evolve, and her course at Yale marks a significant moment in the intersection of music, culture, and academia. As a symbol of innovation and activism, she will now be explored through the lens of higher education, further cementing her place in history not just as a musical icon, but as a transformative figure who reshapes the world around her.
