Taylor Swift at KU
Taylor Swift Courses
TS 101: The Academic Lore of Taylor Swift
Expected Fall 2025
Undergraduate course in the KU Common Core.
Multiple instructors
Gender, Public Policy, and the Economy
(LSW 494; PUAD 494, 839, 853; WSGG 396, 696; ECON 310, 780)
Spring 2025
All levels
Misty Heggeness, associate professor of public affairs & administration, research scientists, Institute for Policy & Social Research, and co-director, Kansas Population Center
The Sociological Introduction: The Sociology of Taylor Swift
(SOC 200, HNRS 190)
Brian Donovan, professor of sociology
From Marilyn & Joe to Taylor & Travis: Media coverage of celebrity-athlete relationships
JMC 201
When we think of power couples, we tend to think about the political, financial, and entertainment industries. However in myriad societies, sports play an outsized role in shaping all of those sectors. This course analyzes notable celebrity-athlete couples throughout history, more specifically exploring how media coverage of these relationships informs our understandings of various cultural norms in numerous societies around the world.
Steve Bien-Aimé, assistant professor of journalism
Decoding Taylor Swift: Songcraft, Storytelling, and Branding
MUSC 313
This course explores the artistry and career of Taylor Swift. It encompasses an analysis of her approaches to songwriting, performing, and producing as well as her approaches to marketing within the music business and the broader entertainment industry.
Kerry Marsh, director of Jazz Singers and Vocal Jazz Lab
Taylor Swift Speaker Series
Taylor Swift Speaker Series
Watch recordings of the six-part lecture series on the "academic lore" of Taylor Swift.