Taylor Swift is a College Course, Again
Back in February, New York University offered a course on Taylor Swift, focusing on her entrepreneurship, how she fits into the history of pop music “prodigies,” and how the experiences of youth and girlhood are “often exploited” by the media.
Now, as we mentioned on the Entertainment Update this morning with Joel and Maryann, the University of Texas at Austin is following suit, offering a class that focuses specifically on Taylor’s songwriting.
Starting this fall, Dr. Elizabeth Scala at UT’s English department will teach Literary Contests and Contexts: The Taylor Swift Songbook. It’ll use Taylor’s songwriting to teach “a wide range of skills.” As the school’s Facebook post says, “Let’s turn that Easter Egg hunting and reading in detail to academic purposes!”
Scala told The Austin-American Statesman that she’s focusing on Taylor because she admires her writing skills, calling the star “an intelligent and talented songwriter.”
Scala says her daughter introduced her to Taylor in November, after the release of Red (Taylor’s Version). She notes, “For me, it’s all about form (not just or even primarily about content). We will study Swift’s songs as poems and literary structures.”
NASHVILLE, TN – SEPTEMBER 19: Taylor Swift is honored by Big Machine Label Group President and CEO Scott Borchetta for her multi-platinum album RED at a special event during the final 3 nights of her sold-out North American tour on September 19, 2013 at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Larry Busacca/TAS/Getty Images for TAS)
Harry Styles will be the subject of a class at Texas State University next spring. Other artists who are the subject of college courses include Beyonce (University of Copenhagen) and Lady Gaga (University of Virginia).
It's official, official. I'm teaching the world's first ever university course on the work of #HarryStyles is happening Spring 2023 at @TXST University (see description).
— Louie Dean Valencia (@BurntCitrus) July 16, 2022
This is what tenure looks like. Let's gooooo! 😊 pic.twitter.com/1z3vMZoxRV
Listen to Joel Katz and Maryann Morgan every weekday morning from 6 to 10 AM for everything you need to get you workday moving in the right direction.
Joel and Maryann keep you informed with news updates at the top of every hour, traffic and weather three times an hour, and Entertainment Updates at 6:10 and 8:10. Check out “What’s Trending” at 7:10 and “What Are You Talking About” at 9:10.
The winning starts at 6:45 with the “Impossible Question,” and continues at 7:20, 8:20 and 9:20
Joel and Maryann in the Morning on Magic 98.3
