Put traditional lectures out of your mind. As part of their college coursework, students today are examining Taylor Swift’s lyrics.#Minnesota #Parenting #Education #News
Minnesota’s St. PaulYou’ve been saving, organizing, and dreaming about your child’s college graduation for years. However, how would you respond if you learned that they were enrolled in a course on Taylor Swift? It turns out that the pop star is now making her impact in academics, even if you might have thought they would study commerce, literature, or engineering. Students at universities in North Dakota and Minnesota are delving deeply into Swift’s lyrics and examining how she has influenced poetry, society, and identity. Indeed, Taylor Swift is a component of the curriculum in this new era of education.
As part of an English course called The Poetry of Rock at North Dakota State University (NDSU), students are delving deeply into Swift’s lyrics. The course examines her songs as meaningful poetry that speaks to listeners on a cultural and personal level rather than just as commercial music.
Pop culture is being used in classrooms by other institutions besides NDSU. Swift’s place in contemporary media and her influence on social media sites like TikTok are the subject of another course at Minnesota State University, Moorhead.
The Poetry of Taylor Swift at NDSU
Students at NDSU are examining Taylor Swift’s lyrics and their literary merits while they listen to her music in an academic context. The Poetry of Rock course explores how modern music, particularly Swift’s compositions, might be seen as poetry rather than more conventional topics like grammar or classic American literature. Her poems are interwoven with issues of love, identity, and social expectations, which students examine.
Swift’s writing is compared to that of earlier cultural titans like Bob Dylan and The Beatles by the course’s instructor, Professor Adam Goldwyn. He urges students to consider her to be among the most significant poets of contemporary America. Swift s lyrics, according to Goldwyn, transcend music and resonate deeply with her audience, creating conversations that are relevant and meaningful for today s world.
Why Taylor Swift?
The impact of Taylor Swift goes well beyond the music charts. Her lyrics have become a medium for discussing personal and societal issues, making her an ideal subject for academic study. The course encourages students to think critically about Swift s work, considering how her songs serve as a reflection of culture, especially for young people navigating complex emotions and experiences.
For students, analyzing Swift s music goes beyond enjoying a catchy tune; it s about understanding her impact on gender, personal identity, and cultural norms. Many students find her ability to articulate feelings of empowerment and struggle particularly relatable. This class not only invites students to reflect on their personal connections to Swift s music but also allows them to explore how she has shaped public discussions around women s roles in music and society.
Pop Culture Meets Academia
NDSU s The Poetry of Rock is just one example of how universities are embracing pop culture as a lens for academic exploration. Similar courses are being offered at other institutions, such as Minnesota State University, Moorhead, where a class delves into Swift s influence alongside trends in TikTok and reality TV. These classes are part of a larger movement in higher education to study contemporary media and its broader effects on society.
As more students and professors recognize the cultural weight of modern pop music, institutions are incorporating these discussions into their curriculum. By analyzing the works of artists like Taylor Swift, students gain insight into the evolving nature of culture and the power of music to influence both individual identity and societal values.
Pop Poetry, or a Waste of Time?
Taylor Swift s music has become more than just a soundtrack for many; it s a powerful medium for exploring identity, societal issues, and personal growth. Courses like The Poetry of Rock show that her influence is significant enough to be discussed in academic settings, allowing students to reflect on how her songs represent the thoughts and struggles of a generation. Through this academic lens, Taylor Swift s lyrics are elevated from simple pop hits to pieces of poetry with deep cultural meaning.
What do you think about Taylor Swift being studied in the classroom? Share your thoughts in the comments would you support your child taking a class like this?
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