Taylor Swift takes center stage in college curricula: A pop culture phenomenon
In the hallowed halls of academia, where knowledge is revered and wisdom sought, there is a new addition to the curriculum that has captured the imagination of students everywhere: the Taylor Swift course.
At the University of the Philippines – Diliman (UPD) in Quezon City, a groundbreaking elective titled “Celebrity Studies: A Focus on Taylor Swift” has sparked frenzied excitement among students , with hundreds of people signing up within minutes of the announcement.
Led by Professor Cherish Brilon, a self-proclaimed Swiftie and respected lecturer in the broadcast communications department, the course promises to delve into the multifaceted world of the 14-time Grammy Award winner.
From her image in the media to her status as a “transnational” figure in the Philippines, students can expect a comprehensive exploration of Swift’s impact on society and culture, including her political views and activism.
For Brilon, the decision to offer a course on Taylor Swift was part of a broader initiative within the department to explore the intersection of popular culture and academia.
In an article written earlier this year, she explained that the department had previously launched courses on topics ranging from Korean dramas to pornography, highlighting the importance of understanding and analyzing critically analyze the cultural phenomena that shape our world.
Response to the course has been nothing short of remarkable, with around 300 students said to have signed up within minutes of the course becoming available.
Such was the demand that the university was forced to open an additional class to accommodate the influx of eager students, many of whom arrived with their Taylor Swift merchandise.
Across Philippine social media platforms, news of the Taylor Swift course sparked a wave of enthusiasm and support, especially among Swifties, who saw the course as a testament to her vision. lasting influence and pop star relevance.
As one user on ”
Indeed, the political and social aspects of Swift’s influence are ripe for scholarly exploration, as evidenced by her vocal stance against the Philippines’ Anti-Terrorism Bill in 2020.
As another fan noted, “As a Swiftie, I would have had to line up and fight tooth and nail to get in,” underscoring fans’ enthusiastic response to the opportunity to study their idols. them in an academic environment.
While the Taylor Swift course may be a first for the University of the Philippines, it is not unusual in the world of higher education.
Several universities in the United States, including Harvard, Stanford and Berklee College of Music, have previously offered courses on Swift, demonstrating her status as a cultural phenomenon worthy of academic study. .
As the academic world continues to evolve, embracing new forms of cultural exploration and expression, the Taylor Swift course is a prime example of the intersection between popular culture and education.
In the words of a Filipino netizen, “The University of the Philippines offers a course on Taylor Swift and #Jokoy fanatics have lost their minds,” highlighting the excitement and anticipation surrounding this groundbreaking addition into the university curriculum.
