Some argue that pop culture is something that needs to be left out of education, but one Washington University professor disagrees. His name is Dr. Jeffrey McCune, he is an associate professor in the African American Studies.

The class he will be teaching is “Politics of Kanye West: Black Genius and Sonic Aesthetics.” This course will go into in-depth detail about how Kanye influences issues of politics, race, gender, sexuality, and culture.

“I knew my students had connections to Kanye. They’re always referencing his music and performances and videos and fashion. What better time than now to take seriously Kanye West as a cultural icon? I’m always interested in how he’s pushing whatever boundaries,” McCune told St. Louis Post Dispatch.

 McCune believes that the timing of the course is perfect considering Kanye’s current standing in popular culture. To no surprise, the available 75 slots for the course filled up quick, leaving dispirited students writing their name on the long waiting list. 

This course is surprisingly not the first of it’s kind. The first college course about West was offered by Georgia State University in 2015, and in 2014 there was a course at University of Missouri which focused on not only Kanye, but also Jay-Z.

Although there is clear excitement from the WASHU students, there are many other people who think this class is a disgrace to education. Some people even went as far as saying “Idiocracy at it’s finest hour. A major in Kanye with a minor in Kardashian? Perhaps a couple of papers in Katy Perry?” and “another useless course to keep the professor’s job.”

Everyone has their own opinions. Hopefully this class will be a gateway that opens up an entirely new branch of education and, for McCune’s sake,  there won’t be too many angry tuition paying parents.