Harvard Kennedy School Introduces Beyoncé-Inspired Public Policy Course
A new course at Harvard Kennedy School is using Beyoncé’s music to study public policy gaps in the United States. The course connects pop culture with real government systems.
The class is titled “American Requiem: Beyoncé, Benefits and the Gap Between Promise and Delivery.” It focuses on how public programs often fail to meet the needs of the people they are meant to serve.
The course uses Beyoncé’s 2024 album Cowboy Carter as a teaching tool. It examines issues around public services, inequality, and policy delivery.
How ‘Cowboy Carter’ Is Used in Policy Education
The course explores themes from Beyoncé’s album to study gaps in government systems. It looks at programs like Medicaid and SNAP, and how they work in real life.
According to the university, the goal is to show the difference between policy intentions and actual outcomes. Students are encouraged to think about how systems affect everyday people.
The album’s cultural themes are also part of the discussion. It highlights overlooked contributions of Black Americans in country music and broader American culture.
Focus on Systemic Inequality and Government Services
The course was developed by adjunct lecturer Ayushi Roy. It uses cultural examples to explain how bureaucratic systems can exclude vulnerable communities.
Roy said the class helps students understand the disconnect between policy design and lived experience. It also highlights how institutions can unintentionally create gaps in access.
The curriculum draws from discussions around systemic inequality and institutional exclusion. These ideas are used to help students analyze public systems more deeply.
Harvard’s Growing Use of Pop Culture in Academia
The course is part of a wider trend in universities. More schools are using music, film, and media to teach public policy and social science.
Harvard officials said the aim is to prepare future policymakers. They want students to understand how government programs work in practice, not only in theory.
The album has already received wide academic attention. It won Album of the Year at the 2025 Grammy Awards and continues to shape cultural discussions.
Collaboration and Course Development
The course was developed with input from historian Trey Walk. Together, they designed lessons that study how government systems can unintentionally exclude certain groups.
They also focus on how policy promises often differ from real outcomes. This helps students examine gaps in social safety-net programs more clearly.
The approach reflects a growing academic interest in linking culture and governance. It shows how modern media can be used to teach complex social issues.
