Beyoncé at Yale: A New Era of Ivy League Education

Image via Flickr/ralph_ph

Starting in Spring 2025, students at Yale University will explore the artistry, activism, and profound cultural impact of none other than Beyoncé. Named “Beyoncé Makes History: Black Radical Tradition History, Culture, Theory & Politics Through Music,” this new course, led by Professor Daphne Brooks, is a deep dive into the intersections of music, history, and Black cultural life through the lens of one of the world's most influential artists.

Why Beyonce? Professor Brooks says the timing couldn't be better. Beyoncé with her recent Cowboy Carter era and history-making Grammy wins, has pioneered a form of expression that uniquely marries performance, fashion, and politics. This course will examine her work from 2013’s self-titled album to today, unpacking how her visual albums, performances, and even personal choices offer windows into deeper narratives of Black history and intellectual thought.

Students won’t just be listening to her songs. They’ll craft playlists, screen her visual albums, and connect her work to influential icons like Josephine Baker, Diana Ross, and Grace Jones, diving into identity, resistance, and Black excellence themes. Brooks describes Beyoncé’s voice as “a portal” to history and politics, making her a unique figure for students to study in an academic setting.

Yale’s new course is part of a growing trend: prestigious universities worldwide, from the University of Michigan to Copenhagen, are recognizing the educational value in studying contemporary artists like Beyoncé, whose work sparks essential conversations.