Singer Beyoncé Knowles’ fans now have the chance to study their favourite pop star and even get college credit for it, at Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey.
The university is offering a course on the pop diva, taught by PhD candidate Kevin Allred, a doctoral student and lecturer in the college’s Department of Women and Gender Studies.
The course will revolve around pop culture and music. It may sound like it will be frivolous, but in reality, it will be of cultural significance.
Allred told college paper, Rutgers Today that the class will explore issues of race and gender in America through the lens of Beyoncé’s music.
The course titled ‘Politicising Beyoncé’, is being offered at the university, but the class isn’t about the pop star’s political views.
“This isn’t a course about Beyoncé’s political engagement, or how many times she performed during President Obama’s inauguration weekend,” Allred said.
Allred added that the goal of his course was to “shift students away from simply being consumers of media and instead, think more critically about what they’re engaging on a regular basis,” reported NY Daily News.
Those who take the class can expect to discuss topics, such as the Drunk in Love singer’s brand, flashy outfits and risqué performances as her alter ego Sasha Fierce.
Instead, the paper notes that Beyoncé’s oeuvre will be used “[as a lens] to explore American race, gender, and sexual politics,” according to Vanity Fair.
“She certainly pushes boundaries,” Allred said. “While other artistes are simply releasing music, she’s creating a grand narrative around her life, her career, and her persona.”
Allred says he will pair each lesson plan with selections from Beyoncé’s music and lyrics. Perhaps, the week that delves into the philosophy of self expression can be paired with the piece of art Vin Diesel shared on Facebook, featuring him dancing to Beyoncé’s latest smash hit.
Published in The Express Tribune, February 6th, 2014.
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