University of Miami to Offer Taylor Swift Course This Fall

The University of Miami is the latest institution to offer a course on the work of the American singer and songwriter Taylor Swift, named “Mastermind Taylor Swift Brand.”

According to a report by The Miami Hurricane, the University of Miami student newspaper, students of all majors can enroll in this elective course, starting this fall. The course begins on August 20, 2024, Erudera.com reports.

Enrollment in the course which was initially expected to accommodate 150 students, began earlier this month. All the available places were filled within four days. Hence, the university decided to raise the number of students who can take classes to 175.

Currently, there is a waiting list in place and the University of Miami is considering expanding the class and welcoming more students for 75-minute sessions on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Ayana George, one of the students who managed to register for the course, told Miami Herald that the course description caught her attention. Although she does not necessarily consider herself a “Swiftie” - a term describing fans of Taylor Swift—George said she appreciates the approach of the singer to strengthen her brand and shape the music industry.

“My passion for understanding how brands evolve and grow successful entities like Taylor Swift led me to join this course. I believe this course offers a fresh perspective,” Ayana George, a UM freshman marketing major, told the newspaper.

She hopes the class will provide her with insights on how to develop effective marketing strategies while appreciating the talented singer Taylor Swift and enjoy some good music.

UM’s vice dean for academic affairs in the School of Communication, Alyse Lancaster, who will teach the course, said the idea was prompted by her daughter Gabi, who, especially after the singer’s Eras Tour concert, expressed a desire to learn all the songs on the tour.

“Then she and I went to see the Eras Tour movie, and while watching this incredible woman perform for 3.5 hours straight, through nine eras of her music, interacting with her over-the-moon-excited, completely engaged audience, I finally understood what the big deal is,” Lancaster said in a statement for Miami Herald.

Several other universities, including Arizona State University, Binghamton University, New York University, Rice University, Stanford, and the University of Texas at Austin, have previously announced that Taylor Swift classes were added to their curricula.

In Europe, Ghent University in Belgium became the first European school to launch a new literature course analyzing Taylor Swift's work. Earlier last year, Assistant Professor Elly McCausland, who teaches the courses, told Erudera News there was a high demand among students to pursue this course.