Washington University in St. Louis is opening up a new academic class. And it is going to center on the world of Kanye West.
The new course already has 75 students registered for a class titled "Politics of Kanye West: Black Genius and Sonic Aesthetics." The class has already started this week.
After the class has finished its first round, a next one will open up. And already there is a waiting list for students who are anxious to get in, as reported by the Miami Herald. Jeffrey McCune is the professor leading the course.
"Politics of Kanye West: Black Genius and Sonic Aesthetics" is going to focus on Kanye West's career as a rapper, producer, a fashion designer and artist. The course offers a way for students to connect his career and life to current events involving politics, gender, race and culture.
The Washington University course is not the first course in the country that uses Kanye West as a subject. Georgia State University has also offered a course in 2015 and the University of Missouri did a class on both West and Jay-Z.
McCune says that he has always wanted to teach a course that focuses on the "black genius," as reported by Mashable. McCune says the outline of the course will include lessons on Kanye West's public moments with pop star Taylor Swift, listening session on certain tracks, "hip hop queer love languages" and more. But the Washington University lecturer says that the class will not be focused in bashing the artist or even praising him.
Dr. Jeffrey McCune knows that the class is going to be popular as West is a relatable subject and the students can connect to him. He adds that his students are always referencing his music and other activities.
Using Kanye West as a cultural icon now is relevant for McCune.
In other news, check out Kanye West speaking to the Oxford Guild Society:
