Yale University is set to offer a groundbreaking course dedicated to the artistry and influence of Beyoncé. Titled “Beyoncé Makes History,” this class will debut in the Spring 2025 semester, inviting students to explore the pop icon’s contributions to music, culture, and Black history.
The course, led by Professor Daphne Brooks of Yale’s African American Studies and Music departments, aims to examine Beyoncé’s work as a lens through which to study Black history, intellectual thought, and performance.
Professor Brooks, an expert in Black feminist thought and popular music, previously taught a related course at Princeton University titled “Black Women in Popular Music Culture.”
Her Yale course narrows the focus to Beyoncé’s artistic journey from 2013 to 2024, analyzing everything from her bold visual media to the social and political commentary embedded in her music.
According to Brooks, demand for her previous class was overwhelming, with students eager to delve into Beyoncé’s role in music and culture. “There was so much energy around Beyoncé as a subject, even in broader courses,” Brooks said, highlighting why she chose to spotlight the superstar’s work exclusively this time.
The syllabus will include an exploration of Beyoncé’s self-titled 2013 album up through her anticipated 2024 release Cowboy Carter. Students will study her music videos, fashion, and visual albums while examining broader themes of Black women’s experiences in media and politics.
Coursework will involve scholarly readings, visual album screenings, archival research at the Beinecke Library, and unique public humanities projects. Students will also create curated playlists that trace Beyoncé’s influences across musical genres, further connecting her work to the broader historical context.
Brooks believes that Beyoncé’s impact on culture is unparalleled and makes her an ideal subject for academic study. “The number of breakthroughs and innovations she’s executed, interweaving history, politics, and Black cultural identity into her performances, is unmatched,” she noted. “Her voice and artistry open portals for us to reflect on cultural history and social change like no one else.”
This course is expected to draw significant interest, offering students a rare opportunity to study a living legend whose work continues to reshape popular music and elevate conversations on race, gender, and power in modern society.
