Basel University Presents Taylor Swift Course

English students at the University of Basel will soon have the opportunity to study something different—Taylor Swift. Instead of delving into works by Shakespeare, Shelley, and Twain, the university assures that this course will not leave students with an empty space, emphasizing the value of studying Swift.

Taylor Swift Course Launches in Basel

In the upcoming spring semester of 2024, English students in Basel can enroll in a course focusing on Taylor Swift’s music. The course, centered on the discography of one of the world’s highest-grossing artists, involves discussing and interpreting the lyrics of her songs from all 10 albums released between 2006 and 2022. Course leader Andrew Shields shared that 64 people have already registered, leading to an expansion of the lecture venue due to high demand.

New Module Inspired by Taylor’s Era’s Tour

The idea for the course originated from Andrew Shields’ experience attending Taylor Swift’s Era’s Tour in Zurich with his family. The global event, the highest-grossing tour ever, surpassing 1 billion US dollars in revenue, prompted Shields to see a literary seminar on Swift as ideal preparation. Despite facing negative comments on Facebook, Shields remains resilient, comparing the criticism to what might have occurred if he had announced a course on the Beatles in the 1960s.

Taylor Swift’s Songs Worthy of Study, Academic Argues

Shields asserts that studying Taylor Swift’s lyrics is worthwhile, countering claims of mediocrity by stating that those who say so have not examined the texts in detail. He compares the criticism to 18th-century complaints about women’s supposed reading addiction to trivial novels. Highlighting specific songs like “The Lakes,” Shields contends that Swift’s lyrics are rich in literature and dismisses the notion that her music is too accessible and shallow.

Assurances about Taylor Swift Course Content

Shields emphasizes that the course is not merely a celebration of Swift’s popularity. He assures prospective students that the seminar will delve into various aspects of Swift’s songs, from exploring Lake Poets like William Wordsworth in “The Lakes” to analyzing story-driven country ballads and “Mad Woman,” a song vividly equating media controversies with the trope of labeling women as “hysterical or crazy.” Shields concludes by warning that the course won’t be a continuous celebration of Swift, urging students not to expect 14 weeks solely devoted to praising her.