New York University Opens an Entire Course on Taylor Swift

Calling all Swifties! New York University’s Clive Davis Institute is opening an entire course on Taylor Swift. The 3-month class will focus on the life and legacy of the artist… from her country music origins to her rise in the industry.    Swift was born in West Reading, Pennsylvania. When she was 14 years old, her family relocated to Nashville, Tennessee to help her pursue a country music career without any pressure. This was the decision that moved her closer to her destiny.   She soon became one of the most sought-after celebrities for country music stars across the genre. The artist was only 16 when she released her first album, "Taylor Swift." Her career has blossomed into becoming a pop sensation with sold-out stadium tours and 41 Grammy awards.   Are we surprised that a global superstar like Swift gets her own course? Definitely not. According to Variety, the course objectives will be as follows:
  • “Students will develop an understanding and appreciation for Taylor Swift as a creative music entrepreneur; Students will learn to deconstruct the way her creativity and songwriting have made her a durable presence in a quickly evolving music industry;
  • Students will learn about the legacy of pop and country songwriters that have influenced Swift as well as the discourses around “prodigies” in pop music history;
  • Students will gain an understanding of how discourses of youth and girlhood are often exploited in the media and music industries;
  • Students will learn about the politics of race in contemporary popular music, and to interrogate whiteness as it relates to Swift’s politics, songwriting, worldview, and interactions with the wider cultural world around her;
  • Students will develop greater sophistication in their artistic appreciation, critical thinking, research, and writing skills.”
  However, it looks like not all Swifties will be able to sign up for this course this term. NYU representative said in an interview with Variety that “there's already a long waiting list of students” looking to learn about the course.   We're not surprised the slightest, especially because there’s a chance that Swift might just make an appearance in the class.    Rolling Stone’s Brittany Spanos will teach the course to students. She previously attended New York University’s Clive Institute.    Spanos shared her thoughts during an interview in Variety. She said, "I've been covering Taylor Swift since I began my writing career a decade ago and have been a super fan of hers for even longer. It's such an honor to be able to share my Swiftie expertise with a sharp group of students.”   Then she added, "I hope to help them rethink how to engage with one of the world's biggest and sometimes divisive stars, in the same way, Clive professors like Jason King, Vivien Goldman, and Joe Levy did for me when I took their courses.”   For now, the whole fandom is curious to see if Swift will make a quick trip to NYU to share her real-life insights with the class. For all Swifties out there who will be taking this course, this will be a dream come true!