Ghent University presents a new literary course with lyrics by… Taylor Swift

Taylor Swift, Tay Tay, T. IRAS Tour.

To the disappointment of many Belgian fans, it doesn’t stop here. But starting next academic year, Swifts who love literature at Ghent University can heal their broken hearts in the elective course English Literature: The Taylor Version.

Literary analysis

The cycle begins with Swift’s words, which are analyzed in detail and then interpreted in a literary context. Its lyrics contain many references to English literature. Dickens, Dickinson, Robert Frost, Shakespeare…but I try to look beyond that,” Professor Ellie McCausland told VRTNWS. In her classes, she not only wants to show the literary techniques and genres the 33-year-old singer-songwriter uses year, but also wants to encourage its students to be creative and think critically about the music they listen to and the media they consume.

For all Swifties who have it All is very well (10 minute version), A literary masterpiece, according to Macausland, Know by heart or know where the abbreviation IKYWT is (i knew you were trouble) means: “Literature is still the main focus,” warns the English professor. “They’ll have to listen to two or three of her songs before class. But the students are also required to buy six classics by William Shakespeare, William Thackeray, and Margaret Atwood, among others. So it won’t be a fan club.” The 34-year-old, who is also a huge Swiftie, adds that you don’t need any prior knowledge of Taylor Swift.

Pop culture in the university

The inclusion of popular pop culture characters, series, or movies in academic curricula is no longer an entirely new phenomenon. For students in the fields of marketing and media, it can be interesting and valuable to understand the fascination with celebrities and pop culture.

For example, the University of Copenhagen offers the course “Beyoncé, Gender and Race”, in which, in addition to the work of the pop singer from Houston, Texas, her social impact on the black community and her “philosophy” are also studied. . On the other hand, the University of Virginia teaches the course “Gaga for Gaga: Gender, Gender, and Identity,” which focuses on Lady Gaga’s music and her influences on gender expression. Finally, in the same university you can watch the American HBO series game of thrones Analysis in detail.