Taylor Academic Programs

Universities Embrace Swift’s Legacy: Universities nationwide, from Harvard to UC Berkeley, are introducing courses on Taylor Swift, exploring her music, persona, and cultural impact.

Engaging Subjects Through Swift’s Lens: Courses span diverse topics, such as the psychology of Swift’s songs at Arizona State and the role of women in popular music at the University of Florida.

Academic Trojan Horse: Swift’s fame serves as a unique entry point for engaging students, offering instructors a compelling way to discuss important subjects through her lens.

The Taylor Swift Songbook: UC Berkeley’s business course explores Swift’s artistic entrepreneurship, emphasizing her meticulous image crafting and ownership of her work.

Swift’s Music Sparks Genuine Interest: Instructors note that Swift’s music has a unique ability to captivate students, making academic subjects more exciting and accessible.

Pop Culture Colossus: Despite being heavily attended by Swifties, these courses are not about idol worship; instructors encourage critical discussions, acknowledging Swift’s flaws and controversies.

Taking Swift Seriously: Courses at Rice University and Stanford delve into criticisms of Swift, including discussions on “rainbow capitalism” and her public apolitical stance pre-2016 election.

Public Reappraisal and Critical Examination: Swift’s journey, especially since her 2017 album “Reputation,” involves critical discussions about her public image, relationships, and the evolution of her art.

Swift as a Lifelong English Teacher: Stanford sophomore Ava Jeffs views Swift’s albums as self-contained storybooks, preparing to teach a course on Swift’s narrative storytelling through song.

Swift’s Lasting Impact: Swift’s ability to put into words what others may find challenging resonates with students, fostering a deep connection and making her a subject of enduring academic interest.

Re-reported from the article originally published in The Mercury News