Taylor Swift in the classroom: 3 top-notch global universities that turned the pop icon into a serious subject

With 14 Grammys, multiple record-breaking albums and a global fan base that spans generations, Taylor Swift is far more than a pop icon. Taylor Swift’s influence is no longer confined to the stage or streaming charts, her cultural imprint is now making its way into lecture halls and seminar rooms across top global universities.

From Duke to UC Berkeley, educators are using her lyrics, business strategies and storytelling techniques to teach critical thinking, media literacy and even economic theory.Here’s a look at some of the most unique Taylor Swift-themed academic courses that explore the pop icon through rigorous and interdisciplinary frameworks. If you’re a Swiftie who is equally curious about sociology, entrepreneurship or media theory, these offerings could be worth exploring.

Writing 101.46: Taylor’s Version – Duke university

At Duke University, Taylor Swift’s discography is not just entertainment, but a tool for academic analysis. Taught by Lisa Andres, this course guides students through Swift’s “Eras” using Stuart Hall’s theory of encoding and decoding, lyrical interpretation and media narrative analysis. Weekly assignments range from lyrical deep-dives to podcast-style capstone projects, pushing students to engage critically with both Swift’s music and her public persona.

Despite its pop culture framing, the course demands active analytical engagement. Students are expected to approach Swift’s work through lenses of race, gender, identity and authorship. While prior knowledge of her discography is not required, the coursework goes far beyond casual listening.

The Academic Lore of Taylor Swift – University of Kansas (KU)

Expected to launch in Fall 2025, this interdisciplinary course at KU positions Swift as a gateway into a wide range of academic fields.

From sociology to economics and journalism to music, students are introduced to fundamental concepts through the prism of Swift’s career and cultural presence.Misty Heggeness, associate professor of public affairs and administration, leads the economics module. According to her, using Swift’s narrative as a case study makes abstract disciplines more tangible and accessible. The course also explores how Swift’s fan culture, particularly parasocial relationships, contributes to social solidarity and collective identity.Through this approach, students not only gain insights into academic disciplines but also sharpen their understanding of modern celebrity, community formation and audience engagement.

Artistry and Entrepreneurship: Taylor’s Version – UC Berkeley’s Haas School of Business

At UC Berkeley’s Haas School, Taylor Swift is studied as a business leader whose brand has evolved alongside the modern music industry. This 13-week course titled Artistry and Entrepreneurship: Taylor’s version examines Swift’s success from a business and marketing perspective.

It covers how her artistic choices, branding, and customer loyalty strategies have sustained a global enterprise.

What makes this course stand out is its student-led design. Miaad Madeline Bushala and Crystal Haryanto, both Haas students, helped shape the syllabus. The class encourages students to view Swift not only as an artist, but as a case study in sustained product relevance, market differentiation, and emotional branding. Business students explore themes such as customer acquisition, economic impact, and long-term brand value, all rooted in Swift’s multi-faceted career.