Taylor Swift at KU
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Join the Email ListSwiftynomics by Misty L. Heggeness
"Makes a simple but quietly radical point: you cannot understand the modern economy—or the future of work—without understanding what is happening in women’s economic lives." — Inc.com
A feminist romp through pop culture that illuminates how women influence and shape the economy.
Taylor Swift isn't just a pop megastar. She is a working woman whose astounding accomplishments defy patriarchal norms. And while not all women can be Beyoncé or Dolly Parton or Reese Witherspoon, the successes of these trailblazing stars help us understand the central role of women in today's economy.
Swiftynomics assesses the complex economic lives of everyday American women through the stories of groundbreakers like Taylor Swift, Misty L. Heggeness digs into the data, revealing women's hidden contributions and aspirations—the unexamined value they create by pursuing their own ambitions. She highlights the abundance of productive activity in their daily lives and acknowledges the barriers they still face.
Exploring critical reforms regarding caregiving and gendered labor, this book offers advice for women to thrive in an economy that was not built for them.
Courses (feat. Taylor Swift)
Explore an academic field through the lens of Taylor Swift's musical, cultural, and economic influence.
In this “The Economics of Taylor Swift” course, you will apply basic economic concepts to pop culture phenomenon. You will learn about the impact of restricted supply (merch) on consumer demand, the implications of the monopolistic behaviors of online ticket vendors (and the power of bots), and the historical arc of women’s economic agency and power today - all to the tune of your favorite Taylor Swift album!
Multiple Instructors
This course presents a variety of academic fields overlayed with a theme of Taylor Swift’s career, life, and pop star status. The course introduces students to a broad range of disciplines including sociology, economics, public affairs, psychology, journalism, music, English, business, political science, and women, gender, and sexuality studies through weekly sessions led by KU faculty on topics like fandom, women in today’s economy, sports journalism, lyric writing, literature/poetry, cultural sociology, and the influence of fame on voting rights and registration.
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
Misty Heggeness - Taylor Swift’s New Album Release is Quintessential Swiftynomics
Brian L. Donovan - The Joy of Gaylor: Sexuality Identity in the Taylor Swift Fandom (Journal of Fandom Studies)
(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.