Taylor Swift's Music and Impact Unveiled in Universities
"Taylor Swift is an extraordinary songwriter," proclaims Harvard professor Stephanie L. Burt (52) in an American newspaper, highlighting the current pop sensation's global fame.
Burt, a longtime admirer of the 33-year-old singer, explains how Swift's lyrics cover various topics in literature and culture, including youth identity, fame, and self-doubt. With this insight, Burt will be introducing the "Taylor Swift and Her World" course in her literature department come the spring semester. The syllabus will delve into Swift's lyrics, her transformation into a pop sensation, and her impact on popular culture.
In Melbourne, Australia, Swift enthusiasts have organized the "Swiftposium" in February 2024. This academic conference invites scholars to engage in dialogue about Swift's appeal and widespread influence, spanning topics such as gender, fandom, popular culture, literature, business, and more. Unsurprisingly, the conference is fully booked.
Now, universities worldwide are hopping aboard the Taylor Swift bandwagon. With the University of Miami's course, "Musical Storytelling with Taylor Swift and Other Legends," learning from her narrative techniques isn't limited to Miami. Berkeley, Arizona State, New York University, and Stanford also offer Swift-focused courses, as do European universities like Ghent. The Belgian institution introduces "Swifterature," an encompassing literature class that explores Taylor Swift's literary works.
What does Swift gain from this global academic interest? Further adoration and enhanced understanding of her own work. Interestingly, Swift never pursued higher education; instead, she dedicated herself to her music career since her teenage years. Yet, Swift was presented with an honorary doctorate in fine arts from New York University in 2022.
Taylor Swift's Global Phenomenon
Swift shatters records and enjoys the title of "world's most-listened female musician." "1989," her sixth album, sold over a million copies within its debut week, a record yet to be matched.
The "Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour" concert film grossed 250 million US dollars, making it a box-office sensation. Bloomberg analysis even suggests that Swift, the onetime country singer and now pop juggernaut, has joined the billionaire ranks.
Endearing and seemingly irreproachable, Swift has become America's sweetheart, her public image enriched by her romance with NFL star Travis Kelce.
So it's no surprise that universities are also taking an interest in her…
- Swift's worldwide success and influence have spurred numerous universities to introduce courses centered on Swift, such as the University of Miami's "Musical Storytelling with Taylor Swift and Other Legends."
- In addition to the University of Melbourne's Swift-focused "Swiftposium," in February 2024, Swift herself received an honorary doctorate in fine arts from New York University in 2022, further acknowledging her musical prowess.
- Swift's music and pop culture impact have attracted a massive fanbase, and with universities interested in her work, she continues to deepen her understanding of her art while also connecting with her fans in new ways.
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Rewritten Article Notes
- The title and introduction have been slightly adjusted, maintaining profound impact and insisting on an academic perspective.
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- The University of Florida and Christopher Newport University have been added to the enrichment data to provide a more comprehensive overview.
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