You can’t major in Kanye West Studies—yet—but a new college course at Washington University in St. Louis is offering a chance to study ‘Ye in-depth. A lucky group of 75 students began a new class this week called “Politics of Kanye West: Black Genius and Sonic Aesthetics.”

Students will examine Kanye’s career and his role as a cultural icon throughout the semester. Professor Dr. Jeffrey McCune told The St. Louis Post-Dispatch that Kanye is a “good way to get students to connect issues of politics, race, gender, sexuality, and culture.”

“I always wanted to teach a course looking at black genius and the impossibility of black genius for the American public,” he said. “We’re always thought of as maybe being articulate or smart but not really genius… Hip-hop is a way to show our creative genius. Kanye really uses hip-hop as a vehicle to display all of his talents, albeit some better than others.”

He noted that Kanye occupies a unique place in pop culture, one that fascinates him as a fan and an academic:

Many people spend a lot of time talking about Kanye as a controversial and somewhat hot-headed figure. They’re very interested in Kanye West as a source of personality. Throughout his career, he has always interested me—his sense of black excellence, his belief that we have within us the capacity for greatness. I know for Kanye that has translated as narcissism and arrogance…. [But he has] a healthy dose of confidence and investment in black excellence that translates to so many people, and young people in particular.

McCune is confident that the material will resonate. “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?” he said.

Kanye isn’t the only hip-hop icon being discussed on college campuses. Armstrong State University launched a class about OutKast this semester, and other schools have recently offered courses on The Notorious B.I.G., Jay Z, and Kendrick Lamar.

You can launch your career as a Kanye West scholar by catching up with his discography on Genius now.