Yale University’s announcement of a new course centered on Beyonce has reignited debate about the value of higher education. Titled “Beyonce Makes History: Black Radical Tradition History, Culture, Theory & Politics Through Music,” the course promises to explore the pop star’s cultural and political significance, but critics say it highlights how academia has become out of touch with real-world needs.
The course will analyze Beyonce’s work, from her 2013 self-titled album to her recent release, “Cowboy Carter,” focusing on themes like Black feminist politics and liberation movements. Instructor Daphne Brooks described it as an opportunity to connect Beyonce’s artistic achievements with Black intellectual traditions.
According to Yale’s course description, students will study Beyonce’s “boundary-transgressing performance politics” and the socio-political themes in her visual albums and concert films. While fans may see this as an innovative approach, critics argue that such courses reflect a misplaced emphasis on celebrity culture in higher education.
“This is why people are losing faith in the value of college degrees,” one critic said. “Students are paying thousands of dollars for courses that don’t prepare them for jobs or contribute to their intellectual development.”
Beyonce-themed courses have also been offered at schools like Rutgers and Arizona State, sparking similar debates. Supporters claim the courses foster cultural understanding, while skeptics see them as another example of how universities prioritize entertainment over education.
As tuition costs soar and student debt reaches record levels, Yale’s decision to offer this course raises questions about whether elite institutions are delivering on their promise to provide valuable, career-ready education.
