Harvard course teaches students about public policy using Beyoncé and Jay-Z as case studies.

Harvard Kennedy School has introduced a new course that takes a unique approach to examining gaps in America's public policy system. In this course, titled "American Requiem: Beyoncé, Benefits, and the Gap Between Promise and Delivery," students will explore the impact of pop culture on academic discussions surrounding race, inequality, and government services. The course was developed by adjunct lecturer Ayushi Roy, who saw the potential in using Beyoncé and Cowboy Carter as a lens to study the failures of federal aid programs.

As stated by the university, the class will draw connections between the themes explored in Beyoncé's 2024 album and the shortcomings of programs like Medicaid and SNAP. Roy believes that analyzing the disconnect between government policies and the experiences of marginalized communities is crucial for understanding and addressing systemic inequities. By using the album's exploration of the erasure of Black contributions to country music as a framework, the curriculum will delve into larger discussions about institutional erasure and systemic injustices.

According to Roy, Beyoncé's performance served as a catalyst for the course's development. She explains, "She frames the album as a conversation about the erasure of African American people from country music. But after seeing Beyoncé perform, you realize that she's actually making a commentary about Black erasure from 'country' - not just as a genre of music, but as a representation of the body politic.

That really inspired me." The course is being offered at Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and comes at a time when colleges around the country are increasingly incorporating contemporary music, film, and media into public policy and social science coursework. Beyoncé's album, which won Album of the Year at the 2025 Grammy Awards, has already sparked widespread academic and cultural discussions about race, Americana, and representation in country music. Reports indicate that Roy collaborated with historian Trey Walk while creating the course.

Together, they designed lessons that examine how bureaucratic systems can unintentionally exclude vulnerable communities, despite promises of equity and access. This course is part of a growing trend among universities to use modern cultural touchstones to engage students in conversations about public policy, technology, and social justice. Harvard officials hope that by studying the practical applications of government programs, future policymakers will have a better understanding of how to create effective policies that benefit all communities, not just in theory but in practice as well.

In related news, Beyoncé's Cécred x BeyGOOD Fund has recently announced plans to invest $250,000 in cosmetology schools in the U.S. and U.K. This initiative aims to empower individuals from marginalized communities by providing them with the skills and resources needed to succeed in the beauty industry.

This is just one example of how Beyoncé's influence extends beyond her music and into the realm of social change.