Pop diva Beyoncé is arguably the most popular performer in the world. But there's much more to her than her success as a provocative pop icon. That's the idea behind a new college course at UIC that delves into Beyoncé's role in shaping "feminist perspectives and [the image] of U.S. black womanhood."

The Common Core State Standards set expectations for what children should know and learn. Originally adopted by 47 states including Illinois, major pushback against the standards has now developed.