Taylor Swift at KU
Courses (feat. Taylor Swift)
Expected Fall 2025
Multiple instructors
Undergraduate course in the KU Common Core
Kerry Marsh, director of jazz singers and commercial voices
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.
Steve Bien-Aimé, assistant professor of journalism
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.
Misty Heggeness, associate professor of public affairs & administration, research scientist, Institute for Policy & Social Research, and co-director, Kansas Population Center
This course will focus on an area of applied economics of current interest.
Brian L. Donovan, professor of sociology
A sociological introduction to selected topics of current interest in Sociology. Check the Sociology Department website for course descriptions of current special topics course offerings.
From the Vault
Read academic and popular publications from KU authors.
Thumbnail List
Brian L. Donovan - The Joy of Gaylor: Sexuality Identity in the Taylor Swift Fandom (Journal of Fandom Studies)
Forthcoming
(feat.) Misty Heggeness - The Swift Effect (Peacock TV)
Brian L. Donovan - Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour ripple effect goes well beyond ticket sales (MSNBC)
Misty Heggeness - Taylor Swift, Underdog Voices, and Women’s Historical Right to ‘Bolt’ (Ms. Magazine)
Misty Heggeness - The Anti-Hero Economist (Medium)
Misty Heggeness - Taylor Swift Isn’t the Economic Force. It’s Her Fans (Time)
Misty Heggeness - Swifties vs. NFL fans: An economist explains what happens when two rabid fan bases collide (Fast Company)
Misty Heggeness - Despite dire predictions, one economics researcher says Taylor Swift should give us reason to hope (Fast Company)
Brian L. Donovan - How Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour transcended pop music: Swifties have created a shared culture that has taken on a life of its own (MSNBC)
The (re-)Recordings
Watch the six-part speaker series on the "academic lore" of Taylor Swift.