The syllabus of Taylor Swift’s Harvard course is suspected to have been leaked online. Earlier this year the prestigious university announced a special course based on pop culture for all of its undergraduate students. Read ahead to find out what is in store for Swifties at Harvard.
Taylor Swift’s Harvard University Course Syllabus Leaked
The extra credit course led by Professor Stephanie Burt will plunge deeper into the lyrics, music, and influence of the global star. The students will also get to dissect her music catalog and read authors that Burt finds relevant to understanding Swift’s artistry.
the course description pic.twitter.com/BLMTQYa5NR
— will (@theluckywill) November 28, 2023
The course is expected to begin next year and an X (former Twitter) user has shared its entire curriculum online. The course opens by stating that the students will explore ‘fan culture, celebrity culture, adolescence, adulthood, and appropriation through this course.’
They will also study “how to think about white texts, Southern texts, transatlantic texts, and queer subtexts.” The course continues to pay tribute to the artist by including “how to think about illicit affairs, and hoaxes, champagne problems, and incomplete closure.” Read the complete course below.
The entire ‘Taylor Swift and Her World’ syllabus
The course is expected to begin on Monday, January 22 with an ‘Introduction to Why Study Taylor Swift.’ It states that the students will explore the singer’s discography as a literary art form and her cultural contexts, along with literary analogs and music history.
🎓 | Harvard’s English Department will debut the course “Taylor Swift and Her World.”
— A pioneering endeavor among Ivy League institutions, this course provides students the opportunity to delve into Swift's music, lyrics, and influence. pic.twitter.com/vnwTL8Wu6E
— Taylor Swift Museum (@theswiftmuseum) November 28, 2023
The course will also explore other music and literary legends such as Dolly Parton, Loretta Lynn, and Phyllis McGinley. You may read the details of Taylor Swift‘s classes below.
- Wednesday, January 24: The first lesson will focus on “Tim McGraw,” and “Teardrops on My Guitar.” “Picture To Burn,” and “Our Song.”
- Monday, February 5: Students will once again get to explore Taylor Swift’s discography focusing on ‘Fearless (Taylor’s Version)’s songs “Fifteen,” “Love Story,” “You Belong With Me,” and “Forever & Always.” The class will also study Ilana Nash’s ‘America’s Sweetheart.’
- Monday, February 12: The next album in focus will be ‘Speak Now (Taylor’s Version) including songs “Speak Now,” “The Story Of Us,” “Better Than Revenge,” and more.
omg so the taylor swift harvard class DOES cover queer subtext
— kae 💫 (@lestatdeswift) November 28, 2023
- Monday, February 26: Next album is “Red (Taylor’s Version) with a special focus on “Red,” “I Knew You Were Trouble,” “22,” “Begin Again,” and more.
- Monday, March 4: The beloved ‘1989 (Taylor’s Version) will be explored in this class with a focus on “Blank Space,” “Style,” “Out of the Woods,” “Wonderland,” and “Is It Over Now.”
- Monday, March 18: This week will begin by studying “Reputation” with a focus on “I Did Something Bad,” “Call It What You Want,” “This Is Why We Can’t Have Nice Things,” and “New Year’s Day.”
never have i ever in my life felt such a strong urge to study a course https://t.co/Rnb1O9eWsV
— kwoson 🥐 (@theroyalkwoson) November 28, 2023
- Monday, March 25: The class will be studying ‘Lover’ with a focus on “The Man,” “The Archer,” “Cornelia Street,” and more.
- Monday, March 27: The class will learn more about ‘Folklore’ with a focus on “cardigan,” “the last great American dynasty,” “betty,” “august,” and “seven.”
- Monday, April 8: This shall be the second to last class focused on Taylor Swift’s ‘Evermore.’ The students will explore “willow,” “champagne problems,” “tolerate it,” and “closure.”
that Taylor Swift course on Harvard is basically an english language major
— maria💙 (@lilmeowmeow_v2) November 28, 2023
- Monday, April 15 This shall technically be the last class focused on Swift’s discography focusing on “Midnights.” The songs will be “Anti-Hero,” “Snow on the Beach,” “You Are On Your Own, Kid,” “Would’ve, Could’ve, Should’ve,” and “Hits Different.” This class shall also look at songs from Lorde so it looks like a particularly attractive one.
- Monday, April 22: This class aims to discuss Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour film if it is available.
Netizens want homework
The Swifties are excited about this class and more and more people wish to enroll in it. Many have come forward to say that Mondays won’t be as daunting if it includes studying Taylor Swift’s music and they would love to do homework.
i’m moving to america, doing an elle woods to get into harvard, and taking this class right now.
i’ve already had the opportunity to write an essay about taylor swift during uni and it was the most fun essay to write. this would be my DREAM https://t.co/AByAt8XbIF— draculany 🎃 (@lanyfilm) November 28, 2023
Many fans have also encouraged Harvard University to launch an online or MOOC certificate class so global fans who have either graduated or are currently enrolled in other global universities but wish to study the pop icon’s music can enroll as well.
Many are jocking to drop their current degrees in Law, MBBS, and Business Management just to enroll in this class. Meanwhile, the hopes of Taylor Swift appearing for a guest lecture are also circling online but nothing has been announced. Regardless, Swifties at Harvard University are going to enjoy themselves starting next year.
