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