Yale University’s new course on Beyonce has drawn criticism for epitomizing the growing disconnect between higher education and practical career preparation. The course, titled “Beyonce Makes History: Black Radical Tradition History, Culture, Theory & Politics Through Music,” focuses on the pop star’s cultural and political impact but offers little benefit to students’ professional or intellectual development.
Instructor Daphne Brooks described the course as an exploration of Beyonce’s music and performances as they relate 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 explained.
The course will examine Beyonce’s albums, including “Beyonce” and “Cowboy Carter,” along with her visual albums and concert films. Critics argue that such topics do little to justify the rising costs of tuition at elite institutions like Yale.
“This is exactly why people are starting to call college a scam,” one critic said. “It’s a celebrity-focused distraction from the real-world skills students need to succeed.”
While Beyonce-themed courses have appeared at other universities, Yale’s involvement underscores the growing trend of incorporating pop culture into academic programs. Supporters say it reflects modern cultural studies, but detractors see it as a waste of time and resources.
Yale’s decision to offer this course raises larger questions about the priorities of America’s top universities, as more students struggle to find value in their degrees.
