Taylor Swift beyond the stage: How universities from Harvard to Stanford teach the 'Swiftie' lesson

Universities across the globe, from esteemed Ivy League campuses to creative language programs, are weaving the ‘phenomena’ of Taylor Swift into their academic curricula. From Stanford and Harvard to Ontario’s Queen’s and Brock Universities, classrooms are using the pop icon’s music and career to teach literature, history, economics, and cultural studies, marking a shift in how popular culture is shaping academic learning, according to a report by USA Today.

Harvard University introduced “Taylor Swift and Her World” in spring 2024. The course applies a literary lens to her songwriting and cultural influence. It proved very popular, about 300 undergraduates enrolled in 80-minute sessions.

Northeastern University offered a two-day Zoom course by Catherine Fairfield, attended by more than 500 students. It blended English literature with gender studies, examining themes like womanhood and societal expectations of female fame.

University of California, Berkeley ran “The Music and Impact of Taylor Swift” in spring 2024, tracing her musical journey from country to global pop stardom.

Austin Peay State University provided “The Invisible String of Romanticism,” a poetry class comparing Swift’s songwriting to Romantic writers like Wordsworth. In 2024, 19 students completed the course.

Stanford University offered a student-led course “Storytelling with Taylor Swift Through the Eras,” pairing each of her albums with literary analysis to deepen lyric interpretation.

New York University made headlines in 2022 with a course taught by Rolling Stone journalist Brittany Spanos. It addressed Swift’s song writing, music entrepreneurship, and the politics of race in popular music.

The University of Guelph, Canada introduced a course on the cultural influence of Taylor Swift from January 2025. The programme, part of the university’s 'Icons of Music' op-ed series, is designed for 600 students. The course will use Swift’s career to examine broader themes of pop music’s relationship with art, literature, sexuality, and religion. The course is being launched under the 'Icons of Music' initiative and is expected to attract a wide group of undergraduate students. It will combine music studies with social and cultural analysis, positioning Swift as a case study for contemporary popular culture.

Taylor Swift’s entry into academia suggests that pop music is no longer just entertainment, it’s becoming a democratic gateway to critical thinking, cultural reflection, and interdisciplinary learning. Fans and scholars unite, turning lyrics into lessons.