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Topics: News, Education, Taylor Swift, Music
Niamh Shackleton
Topics: News, Education, Taylor Swift, Music
The syllabus for Harvard University's upcoming Taylor Swift-centric course is thought to have been leaked online.
It was announced earlier this year that the prestigious college was offering a new course for Swifties but, rather than fans simply listening to tracks such as 'Bad Blood' and 'Blank Space' on repeat, it turns out there's actually a bit more to it.
Lead by Professor Stephanie Burt (a die-hard Swiftie herself), students who take the course will earn extra credit 'for their deep dives into Swift’s lyrics, music, and influence, dissecting her catalog and reading a host of authors Burt finds relevant to understanding Swift’s artistry'.
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It's expected that the course will start next year.
Ahead of students soon starting the pop music-based course, someone online has leaked what's believed to be the official syllabus on social media.
Part of the description said to have been issued to students reads: "We will learn how to study fan culture, celebrity culture, adolescence, adulthood and appropriation; how to think about white texts, Southern texts, transatlantic texts, and queer subtexts."
Giving the nod to some of Swifts hit tracks, it continues: "We will learn how to think about illicit affairs, and hoaxes, champagne problems, and incomplete closure."
It goes on to note that its available to all Harvard undergraduates, and that there are 'no prerequisites'.
Kicking off on January 22, 2024, the first class will break down what students can expect from the very niche course.
The next few lessons will then look at Swift's albums over the years, starting with her debut album, Taylor Swift, all the way up to 2022's Midnights.
People on X have since shared their thoughts on the curriculum in light of the leak.
"'Queer subtexts' I wanna take the class so bad," wrote one person.
Another added: "Well structured syllabus!"
A third went on: "SIGN ME UP!!!!"
"Wait this is a fantastic list," a different Swifite wrote.
Speaking to Harvard's newspaper The Crimson ahead of the leak, Professor Burt shared of the course: “We are lucky enough to be living in a time when one of our major artists is also one of the most famous people on the planet. Why would you not have a course on that?"
Harvard University and Professor Burt have been contacted for comment.