Forbes named Beyonce the 17th most powerful woman in the world in 2014. Those surprised by this announcement obviously hadn’t been following Beyonce’s meteoric rise to superstar power.
In the Burst the Bubble class “Beyonce’s Recipe for Taking Over the World,” students get the opportunity to study Beyonce’s roles as entrepreneur, artist, feminist and international superstar.
“[Beyonce] is a powerhouse of excellence, and, I believe, the epitome of what our generation stands for and represents,” said junior Evan Candler, the class’s facilitator.
By fostering an intellectual climate that encourages students to engage with each other over a common interest, the course allows students to focus on a variety of issues ranging from analyzing Beyonce’s albums to her impact on modern society as an African-American woman.
This free program led by students, for students, is held only twice a week, but no day is alike.
Each day in this class is anything but typical. Kicking the class off by watching one of Beyonce’s live performances is a must, in order to “bless the state of the room,” Candler said. Students then get the chance to prove themselves by answering Beyonce trivia, engaging in discussion, watching interviews and unreservedly dancing to “Crazy In Love.”
Some have claimed to acquire “Beyonce syndrome” over the years — possibly due in part to the 75 million records she has sold or her strong feminist appeal. Beyonce has established a following throughout her career that includes some of the world’s most prominent people, such as First Lady of the United States Michelle Obama, who salutes Beyonce as a positive influence for her two daughters.
“She’s an incredibly dynamic individual who executes all of her roles so flawlessly,” Candler said.
The Burst the Bubble program allows students to think critically and analytically while maintaining a relaxed atmosphere.
The opportunity to take a Burst the Bubble class only comes once a year. By signing up, students are treating their higher education as the privilege that it is. Knowledge is power, and students should take advantage of the opportunity to learn about something interesting in an informal setting.
It doesn’t take much convincing to get some involved in a class relating to Beyonce, but sometimes the load of Winter Term can bear heavily on a student’s shoulders without additional commitments. Although adding another thing to the to-do list doesn’t necessarily sound ideal, Burst the Bubble classes allow students to take a break from the daily routine and socialize with peers over a popular topic.