Beyoncé leaving her mark at Rutgers University

Rutgers University is now offering a course to its students entitled ‘Politicizing Beyonce.’

The artist has been one of the few pop stars who is focused on women and how there is a double standard that exists in society.

According to Rutgers, the course will “explore American race, gender and sexual politics.” In addition, it will also take an in-depth look at Beyoncé’s alter ego Sasha Fierce.

A doctoral student who is in charge of the class, Kevin Allred, said that the course isn’t focused on Beyoncé’s involvement in politics or how many performances she did during the president’s inauguration weekend but is about how the well-known artist’s music and career have impacted and explored topics such as race, gender, and sexual campaigning. Buzzfeed

The students who are enrolled in this class will be required to complete readings from Alice Walker and abolitionist Sojourner Truth.
Anther course topic that will be debuted in this class will be based off of Beyoncé’s alter ego, Sasha Fierce. Students will discuss whether the singer’s lack of clothing during performances is empowering for women all over the globe or just plain stereotypical.

Billboard reported that Allred said that he is helping students think more critically about media consumption.

Rutgers is not the first university to be testing out the academic waters by covering a topic like this. At Georgetown University, professor Michael Eric Dyson teaches a course entitled ““The Sociology of Hip-Hop: The Theodicy of Jay-Z.”

Allread said, “When students don’t respond to theory or dense readings, it’s often easier to see things play out in the world around them.”
Universities are keeping up with the changes in the world and are most definitely keeping the students interests in mind. Who knows? There may be a college course coming to your university in the near future.

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