Beyonce is one of the world's most scrutinized pop stars,
and now that study is moving to academia.
The Department of Women's and Gender Studies at Rutgers
University, New Jersey, is offering a course called Politicizing Beyonce, which
examines 'American race, gender, and sexual politics.'
Kevin Allred, a doctoral student who is teaching the class,
told Rutgers Today: 'This isn't a course about Beyonce's political engagement
or how many times she performed during President Obama's inauguration weekend.'
The class supplements an analysis of Beyonce's videos and
lyrics with readings from black feminists. Allred says he's seeking to help
students think more critically about media consumption.
His course will focus on the star that has a number of
alter-egos as a performer, role model, fashion designer, mother and wife.
'She certainly pushes
boundaries,' Allred said. 'While other artists are simply releasing music,
she’s creating a grand narrative around her life, her career, and her persona.'
The lecturer will only assign readings by black feminist
writers on his course, such as bell hooks, Alice Walker and Sojourner Truth.
Allred explained that he discovered the work of these women
in the library while growing up in Utah. 'Their work resonated with me in ways
that other content hadn't,' Allred said.
'I found myself identifying with their writing because
racism, sexism, homophobia, and privilege are larger systems under which we all
operate,' he added.
Rutgers also has a class examining the theology of Bruce
Springsteen's lyrics.
Georgetown University has a class called The Sociology of
Hip-Hop: The Urban Theodicy of Jay-Z, focusing on Beyonce's rapper husband.
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