Get ready, Swifties and culture lovers alike-Taylor Swift is headed to academia! Starting from January 2025 University of Guelph A unique curriculum highlighting the cultural impact of a global pop icon will be launched in Canada. Part of the university’s Icons of Music programme, the course invites 600 students to explore the intersections of pop music, art, literature, sexuality and religion through the lens of Taylor Swift’s unprecedented influence.

Creating a Cultural Lens

Alyssa Woods, associate professor and co-designer of the course, explained the inspiration behind it. He added, “Swift’s dominance in pop culture makes her an ideal lens through which to examine larger social issues.” Rather than simply detailing her musical career, the curriculum will take a broader perspective, analyzing how pop music influences culture and equipping students with analytical skills that extend beyond the classroom.

Why Taylor Swift?

Course co-creator Robert Michael Edwards highlighted Swift’s far-reaching impact. “From shaping fan culture and fashion trends to boosting local economies through her record-breaking tours, Taylor Swift is more than a musician – she’s a phenomenon.”

Swift’s Erasure Tour is a case study in cultural and economic impact alone. The course will examine their Canadian performances in Toronto and Vancouver, exploring how their concerts drive trends, uplift industries and inspire fan engagement around the world.

From virtual classroom to real-world applications

The course, which runs from January to April, has already reached full capacity. While discussions are ongoing for a summer term, Woods emphasized that you don’t need to be a staunch Swiftie to benefit. “Students will leave with critical analytical skills that can be applied across a variety of sectors,” he said.

This isn’t just a “fan club with homework.” It’s an insightful study of how pop icons like Swift shape the way we think, behave, and connect.

Taylor Swift joins the star-studded syllabus

Swift isn’t the first music icon to make it onto a university curriculum. Harvard previously offered a course on Swift, while South Carolina focused on Lady Gaga’s artistry. Ohio State has studied The Beatles, and Yale recently started a course on Beyoncé.

The University of Guelph is keeping its options open for future iterations of the course, and hinting at the possibility of studying other artists as trends evolve. But for now, Taylor Swift’s cultural dominance makes her the star of this academic show.

why it matters

Swift’s cultural impact is not limited to her chart-topping hits. It has become a mirror reflecting social values, challenges and aspirations. By examining their work and the cultural waves they have created, students will gain insight into how art and entertainment intersect with real-world issues.

Whether you’re a Swiftie, a culture lover, or just someone interested in the power of pop music, this course promises an enlightening journey into the world of Taylor Swift and her profound cultural influence.