Yale University is introducing a new course focused on the cultural and political influence of pop icon Beyonce, sparking criticism that elite colleges are prioritizing trendy, celebrity-driven topics over meaningful education. The course, titled “Beyonce Makes History: Black Radical Tradition History, Culture, Theory & Politics Through Music,” offers little practical value but comes with a hefty price tag.
Daphne Brooks, the course instructor, described it as an exploration of Beyonce’s work and its connection to Black intellectual and activist traditions. “I’m looking forward to exploring her body of work and considering how historical memory and Black feminist politics course through the last decade of her performance repertoire,” Brooks said.
The course focuses on Beyonce’s mid-career albums and performances, describing them as
“portals” to examine socio-political themes. It promises to analyze her “boundary-transgressing performance politics” and use her recordings and visual albums as tools for discussing Black liberation and intellectual history.
Critics argue that courses like this represent a departure from higher education’s original mission. “This is what happens when universities prioritize cultural trends over equipping students with practical knowledge,” one observer said, noting that many graduates already struggle with debt and poor job prospects.
Beyonce-themed courses have been offered at other institutions, including Rutgers and Arizona State. While supporters see these as opportunities for cultural study, detractors view them as evidence of academia’s growing obsession with celebrity culture.
Yale’s decision to offer this course highlights the ongoing debate about the value of higher education. For many, it reinforces the belief that college is increasingly a poor investment for students seeking real-world skills and meaningful intellectual growth.
