Taylor Swift is one of the most popular and successful musicians in the world. Her music has been praised for its catchy melodies, clever lyrics, and relatable themes. In recent years, there has been a growing interest in studying Taylor Swift’s music from an academic perspective.
Universities Offering Taylor Swift Courses
There are 6 universities that offer courses on Taylor Swift’s music. These courses typically explore the themes, influences, and cultural impact of Swift’s work. Some of the universities that offer Taylor Swift courses include:
1- Ghent University in Belgium
Ghent University in Belgium has introduced a new course centered around the artistic contributions of the pop singer. The course, titled “Literature: Taylor’s Version,” is open to all students pursuing their master’s degrees. It is set to commence during the upcoming autumn semester.
2- Stanford University
A student named Ava Jeffs from Stanford University took the initiative to arrange a course centered around the music of the singer. The course is named “The Last Great American Songwriter: Exploring Taylor Swift’s Storytelling Across Eras.” This course is included within Stanford’s program that encourages student-led courses.
3- University of Texas
The University of Texas is providing a course centered around Taylor Swift’s musical repertoire, titled “The Taylor Swift Songbook.” In this course, Swift’s creations will be analyzed alongside the literary works of prominent figures such as William Shakespeare and John Keats. Elizabeth Scala, an English professor, justified her selection of Swift by highlighting the singer’s songwriting autonomy as a key factor.
4- New York University’s Clive Davis Institute
Commencing on January 26, 2022, the Clive Davis Institute at New York University introduced a course with the objective of delving into various aspects of Taylor Swift’s career. It aims to cover topics related to Swift’s career like her evolution as a musician, legacy of pop and country singers, and race in popular music.
5- Arizona State University
An academic program centered around the psychological aspects of the singer has been introduced by the university. Named “Psychology of Taylor Swift: Advanced Concepts in Social Psychology,” the course will be led by Alexandra Wormley, a Psychology Ph.D. candidate at the university. Alexandra was inspired to initiate this course after attending Taylor Swift’s ongoing Eras Tour in Arizona.
6- Berklee College of Music
A music education institution has introduced a course named “Songs of Taylor Swift.” This curriculum will delve into Swift’s progression across her albums, her lyrical prowess, and the intricacies of her song production. The course will be instructed by Associate Professor Scarlet Keys.
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What Do These Courses Cover?
The specific topics covered in Taylor Swift courses can vary academic varies from university to university and depending on the instructor and the goals of the course. However, some courses can cover a wide range of topics related to her music, lyrics, and career, such as:
- The evolution of her music over the years
- The themes and messages in her lyrics, including love, loss, heartbreak, empowerment, and feminism
- The influences on her work
- The cultural impact of her music
- The role of gender and sexuality in her music
- The relationship between her music and her personal life
- The use of literary devices in her lyrics
- The marketing and promotion of her music
- The business of the music industry
- The impact of social media on her career
These courses can be safe, ethical, non-sexist, non-racist, and socially appropriate by focusing on the music and lyrics themselves, rather than on Swift’s personal life or relationships. They can also avoid making generalizations about entire groups of people, such as women or girls.
Why Study Taylor Swift?
There are many reasons why someone might want to study Taylor Swift’s music. For music fans, these courses can provide a deeper understanding of their favorite artist’s work. Further, for scholars, these courses can offer insights into the intersection of music, culture, and society. And for anyone interested in popular culture, these courses can provide a fascinating look at one of the most popular and influential artists of our time.
Can You Get a Degree In Taylor Swift Studies?
As of yet, there is no university that offers a degree specifically in Taylor Swift academic studies. However, there are a number of universities that offer courses on Taylor Swift’s music as part of their broader music or cultural studies programs. And as the interest in studying Taylor Swift continues to grow, it is possible that we will see more universities offering dedicated Taylor Swift studies programs in the future.
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The Future of Taylor Swift Studies
The Taylor Swift academic study is still in its early stages. However, the growing interest in these courses suggests that Taylor Swift studies is a field with a bright future. As more and more scholars and students explore the work of Taylor Swift, we will continue to learn new and interesting things about her music, her impact, and also her place in popular culture.
I hope this blog has given you a better understanding of the universities that offer Taylor Swift courses and what these courses cover. So, if you are a fan of Taylor Swift’s music or if you are interested in learning more about popular culture, I encourage you to consider taking one of these courses. You may be surprised at what you learn.
