WASHINGTON, C.C. – A professor of African American studies at Yale University will focus her attention on Beyonce next semester.

Titled “Beyoncé Makes History: Black Radical Tradition, Culture, Theory and Politics Through Music,” Daphne Brooks said the one-credit class will focus on the period from her 2013 self-titled album to this year’s album “Cowboy Carter” and how the famous singer, songwriter and businessman has raised awareness and commitment to social and political ideologies.

Brooks said he intends to use the artist’s extensive repertoire, including footage from her live performances, as a “portal” for students to learn about black intellectuals, from Frederick Douglass to Toni Morrison.

“We’re going to take seriously the ways in which the critical work, the intellectual work of some of our greatest thinkers in American culture resonates with Beyoncé’s music and we’ll think about the ways we can apply her philosophies to their work” and how it has sometimes been at odds with the “black radical intellectual tradition,” Brooks told The Associated Press.

Brooks previously taught a well-received class on black women in popular music culture at Princeton University and found that her students were most enthusiastic about the portion devoted to Beyoncé.

The pop superstar has a record 99 Grammy nominations and is hailed as one of the most influential artists in music history.

But Beyoncé is not the first artist to be the subject of a college-level course.

College courses on Taylor Swift, Rick Ross

South Dakota law professor Sean Kammer turned his attention to Taylor Swift for his legal writing course last year.

The self-described “Swiftie” said his course would draw on art and his music to help his students reconsider legal language and craft persuasive arguments.

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“The reaction from the students has been exciting,” he said. “If we can have fun while exploring some of these complex theoretical problems or questions, I think students will be inspired to think more deeply and try harder.”

Meanwhile, students at Georgia State University College of Law hurried to get to class every day, especially on Tuesday when they heard firsthand from Rick Ross during the final day of a course chronicling the legal complexities of the rapper and record executive. and the life of the Wingstop franchise owner.

Moraima “Mo” Ivory, director of the school’s media, sports and entertainment law program, wanted her students to see for themselves what goes into the albums, TV shows and movies they enjoy. She chooses a star each year and invites guest speakers from her world, along with the main character himself, to bring legal deals, defenses, and drama to life.

“We’re talking about critical legal principles, but we look at them as they happen and how they happen,” he said. “It really turns on that light bulb for law students.”