The US pop artist Taylor Swift will be the subject of a summer school course at Auckland University of Technology (AUT), in New Zealand. ‘Taylor Swift: Communications Professional’ is the first university-level course in Australia featuring the worldwide music phenomenon. Through the lens of a prominent figure in pop culture, the course teaches students communication principles. They analyze the visual and auditory content of the celebrity and critique her branding strategies.
Traditional college courses have seen a significant societal shift in recent years. Pop icons like Beyoncé and Rihanna are frequently taught in college courses, and instructors often leverage the artists’ influence to start discussions on race and culture. Moreover, Taylor Swift is integrating literary lessons—which usually focus on poets from the eighteenth century—into popular culture.
In less than two years, Swift has gained popularity as a college and university subject, with students studying her poetry and songwriting. Universities that offer Taylor Swift courses are listed here; if you’re a fan, you might think about applying.
Ghent University, Belgium
“Literature: Taylor’s Version” is the name of the course offered by Ghent University in Belgium. The syllabus states that students will analyze Swift’s songs as a means of studying English literature, delving thoroughly into the songs’ motifs, allusions, and intertexts. Among other things, the course covers her literary and musical genres, textual techniques, and how she uses her music to create a compelling public presence.
Stanford University, United States
According to the University website, the course titled “Storytelling with Taylor Swift Through the Eras in 2023” aims to use literary analysis techniques on her lyrics in order to gain new perspectives on her intricate music. Swift’s literary lyrics and musical storytelling will remain the main focus of this student-initiated course.
University of Missouri, United States
Taylor Swift’s Songs: Taylor Swiftory History and Literature is available at the University of Missouri, Columbia, in the United States. Her music is examined in this course from a literary and historical perspective. Her songs are used as primary sources to look into literary and historical topics including pop culture, the background of celebrities, the deeper meanings of lyrics, and so forth.
Harvard University, United States
A course named “Taylor Swift and Her World” has been announced by the English Department at the University of Harvard. For the Spring 2025 session, registration for the course is now open. The course, which delves into Taylor Swift’s music, lyrics, and cultural influence, was first introduced in 2023.
New York University, United States
In order to better assist pupils in comprehending Taylor Swift’s musical career and entrepreneurial abilities, New York University launched its inaugural course in 2022. The course includes an examination of the nation’s previous pop culture in order to understand Swift’s motivation. During one of her lectures, she received an invitation to speak as a guest lecturer for the students.
Arizona University, United States
Advanced social psychology concepts are covered in Arizona University’s “Psychology of Taylor Swift” course, which draws inspiration from her songs and public persona.
Berklee College of Music
The school of music introduced a course called Songs of Taylor Swift. This course will cover Swift’s development through her albums, song creation, and lyrical content.
The Taylor Swift Songbook is also available at the University of Texas, while Taylor Swift and the American Dream is available at the University of Delaware.
