Ichha sharma, Pune
The University of Ghent in Belgium is launching a new literature course called “Literature: Taylor’s Version,” inspired by pop star Taylor Swift’s legendary lyrics. The course will be taught by British professor Elly McCausland and will be offered as part of the master’s degree program in language and literature. McCausland, known for her blog “Swifterature,” which compares Swift’s themes and language to renowned writers, has received considerable interest from both students and non-students wanting to participate in the course. The course is set to begin in the upcoming fall semester.
The University of Ghent’s unique literature course, “Literature: Taylor’s Version,” originated when British professor Elly McCausland noticed parallels between Taylor Swift’s lyrics and the English literature she had studied. The course explores Swift’s prolific and autobiographical songwriting, analysing allusions to canonical literary texts. The syllabus covers topics like literary feminism, ecocriticism, fan studies, and anti-hero tropes. McCausland finds resemblances between Swift’s songs and classic literature, like comparing “The Great War” to Sylvia Plath’s “Daddy” and “Mad Woman” to Charlotte Perkins Gilman’s “The Yellow Wallpaper.” The course aims to demonstrate the accessibility of seemingly complex texts by approaching them from different angles.
Academia’s interest in pop stars extends beyond Taylor Swift. Previously, the University of Texas delved into the connection between Black feminism and Beyoncé’s visual album “Lemonade” through an English Literature course. The University of Copenhagen also introduced a course titled “Beyoncé, Gender, and Race,” demonstrating the growing trend of analysing the cultural significance of pop icons in educational settings.
While some critics have dismissed McCausland’s Taylor Swift-centered course as frivolous and silly, overall, the response has been positive and enthusiastic. McCausland acknowledges a few critical voices but views them as reinforcing her mission. She appreciates even the hate mail, drawing inspiration from Taylor Swift’s attitude in dealing with detractors, as expressed in her lyrics. The course’s cordial atmosphere aligns with Swift’s message of overcoming negativity.