Yale University is set to explore the legacy of one of the most culturally influential artists of our time with a new course focused on Beyoncé‘s impact on society, politics, and Black radical tradition. In Spring 2025, Professor Daphne Brooks, a renowned scholar in African American studies and music, will lead this innovative course titled “Beyoncé Makes History: Black Radical Tradition History, Culture, Theory & Politics through Music,” bringing an academic lens to the multifaceted artistry of the global icon.
Brooks, who previously taught a popular course on Black women in popular music culture at Princeton University, will guide students through an in-depth analysis of Beyoncé’s work from 2013 to 2024. Students will examine Beyoncé’s musical catalog, visual storytelling, fashion, and performance aesthetics, using her artistic evolution as a gateway to discuss broader themes within Black history, intellectual thought, and the experiences of Black women in media and politics. This approach is set to merge Beyoncé’s artistic accomplishments with discussions of Black radical tradition and intellectual contributions.
Central to the course will be Beyoncé’s ability to weave together the threads of history, activism, and aesthetic innovation. Through her albums, performances, and visual art, she has redefined what it means to be a Black female artist, using her platform to uplift stories often marginalized in mainstream media. The class will analyze Beyoncé’s body of work alongside foundational readings in Black studies, including writings by Hortense Spillers, the Combahee River Collective, Cedric Robinson, and Karl Hagstrom Miller. These texts will provide students with critical frameworks to dissect how Beyoncé’s music intersects with complex discussions on race, gender, and class.
The course at Yale follows Brooks’ experience with similar topics at Princeton, where her focus on Beyoncé consistently drew enthusiastic enrollment. Recognizing the unique impact Beyoncé has made across cultural landscapes, Brooks emphasizes that Beyoncé’s recent work is “ripe for teaching.” She notes the many groundbreaking moments in Beyoncé’s career, highlighting her ability to connect her art with deeply political messages, as well as her engagement with Black cultural heritage. According to Brooks, Beyoncé’s artistry opens a portal to explore historical and political narratives through music and performance.
This course reflects a growing trend in academia where music and pop culture are examined as significant cultural artifacts, providing insight into contemporary social dynamics and historical contexts. Yale’s Beyoncé course is poised not only to highlight her artistic influence but also to validate her role as a leading cultural figure with a profound understanding of Black cultural expression and empowerment.
Yale’s academic exploration of Beyoncé’s work will undoubtedly add depth to the study of music and cultural studies, reinforcing her legacy as an artist who has reshaped global conversations on identity, resilience, and Black radical thought. For students, this course offers an opportunity to engage with these powerful themes through one of the most impactful artists of our time.
