Students at New York University can now take a class covering the topic of all things… Taylor Swift!
NYU launched the class for the first time this semester, which started on January 26th, at the Clive Davis Institute. Taught by Rolling Stone’s Brittany Spanos, the class will cover Swift’s evolution in music, the legacy of pop and country songwriters, discourses of youth and girlhood, and the politics of race in contemporary popular music, according to Variety.
While NYU has tried reaching out to Swift to see if she would speak during their lectures, she has yet to reply to their request.
According to the course description, “This course proposes to deconstruct both the appeal and aversions to Taylor Swift through close readings of her music and public discourse as it relates to her own growth as an artist and a celebrity. Through readings, lectures and more, the class delves into analyses of the culture and politics of teen girlhood in pop music, fandom, media studies, whiteness and power as it relates to her image and the images of those who have both preceded and succeeded her. We’ll also consider topics like copyright and ownership, American nationalism and the ongoing impact of social media on the pop music industry.
“Course Objectives:
- 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.”
The waitlist is a long one if you’re looking to make the move to the Big Apple!
Would you consider taking a class like this?
