Description

This book is a six-week academic course on the art, performance and representation of entertainer, Beyoncé Knowles-Carter. Focusing on Beyoncé’s image of mystique and the selling power of sexuality in culture, this course brings in new perspectives on Beyoncé’s place in the history of black femininity and black feminism, taking into context key figures in the Western fetishization of black women, such as Saartjie (Sara) Baartman (Hottentot Venus) and Josephine Baker.

About the Course

It is no secret that Beyoncé is an international superstar. Her commercial success and phenomenal talent have made her a worldwide celebrity. Millions of people flock to watch her perform on sell-out tours and she has become a lucrative powerhouse in the recording industry. Now that Beyoncé’s work has become more overtly political, her unique brand of black feminism has been perceived as threatening. This course investigates exactly why that is, answering questions like…

Is Beyoncé a figure of black female empowerment?

Where does Beyoncé fit in the wider history of black female visibility?

What does Beyoncé mean to us now in a digital, post-Civil Rights and post-feminist age?

What does Beyoncé’s BET Awards (2016) performance tell us about American culture?

The course begins with the historical background of black female representation, starting in the early sixteenth century and the rise of the trans-Atlantic slave trade and bringing comparisons of Beyoncé and her black female historical sisters right through the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries to the present day. We then move on to Beyoncé’s role as a doting wife and mother and how this contradicts tired notions that separate female sexuality from motherhood before taking a brief overlook of Beyoncé’s video artistry and finally, her recent BET Performance. The final session allows students to take a creative project or video essay to conclude and summarize their learning.

Chapter One: Welcome and Introduction
Here’s a special welcome message from Elizabeth Amisu and an introduction to your ‘Beyoncé in Culture’ six-week course. Enjoy re-listening to Beyoncé’s greatest hits to reinvigorate and re-inspire as you gain these important ‘Beyoncé in Culture’ basics:

• The intention of this course and what you’ll accomplish
• How to prepare for the course and research
• The best sources to use to begin your study
• How Beyoncé is now more than ever using her power of influence

Chapter Two: Beyoncé and the Historical Black Female
This first learning module focuses on helping you explore your thoughts and ideas around Beyoncé, and the complex history around Western/European fascinations around the black female body including:

• How Beyoncé’s representation begins in the 17^th century
• How slavery changed the meaning of blackness
• How to take effective notes
• Where the Western fascination with black females started
• Why African people became symbols of European power
• How Beyoncé’s sexual imagery and body connects with objectification
• How Beyoncé’s persona as Queen challenges black female invisibility
• How Beyoncé’s is changing dominant negative stereotypes
• How to work with multiple sources simultaneously to get a clearer overview
• How to use a diary-model for in-depth (and on-the-fly) research

Chapter Three: Beyoncé, Bootylicious and Baartman
This module brings new comparisons of Beyoncé and her black female historical sisters right through the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries to the present day. You’ll learn these important specifics and concepts:

• Who was Hottentot Venus (Sara Baartman) and what happened to her
• What is the allure of Beyoncé’s sexual imagery and body
• How to connect historical people with present day ones effectively in research
• Examine your personal thoughts about the exploitation of the black female
• How the Bootylicious song and video is a great tool for discussion
• How Beyoncé’s use of her own body and her ‘booty’ challenges stereotypes
• How Beyoncé’s image is constructed from much more than her physical body
• Understand the importance of using other sources in your research

Chapter Four: Beyoncé as Josephine Baker
Learn about Beyoncé’s personas/roles as a doting wife and mother and how this reflects on female sexuality and motherhood. This module contains important expert advice about Beyoncé’s live performance. You’ll learn:

• Who Josephine Baker was
• Why Beyoncé chose Josephine Baker as her muse
• How to take a live performance as a case study for your research
• How Beyoncé uses dance to align herself with her heritage as a black woman

Chapter Five: Analyzing Beyoncé’s BET Awards & ‘Freedom’
In this module we take Beyoncé’s 2016 BET Awards Performance of ‘Freedom’, going through every aspect of the performance in vivid detail we draw new conclusions on Beyoncé’s influential, musical and visual presentation. Elizabeth walks you through:

• How the opening section connects with the Civil Rights Movement
• Beyoncé’s use of symbolism in staging, lighting and costume
• Lyrical analysis of Beyoncé’s song Freedom
• How Beyoncé’s Freedom connects with slavery in a deep way

Chapter Six: A Reason to Create
Creativity is the best way of summarising your learning. This ‘A Reason to Create’ lesson gives you a wonderful opportunity to create a piece of art or an article inspired by Beyoncé, in order to understand her process more deeply. You will:

• Receive detailed guidance on how to bring all your ideas together
• Choose a final creative or academic project in your preferred field
• Complete your final creative project