NZ Swifties, Imma need you to sit down for this one! Kiwis can now study all things Taylor Swift at uni level.
AUT’s School of Communication Studies has just launched Australasia’s FIRST Taylor Swift course, following the success of similar popular college classes in the US.
The course named ‘Taylor Swift: Communications Professional’ dives into how Taylor has been absolutely dominating the music industry for over 18 years.
And it’s not just about her incredible hits, but her exceptional communication skills too.
This ultimate course for Swifties breaks down Taylor’s music videos and other audio/visual content to really explore how she nails the game.
Students will also conduct a case study on how Taylor uses different communication strategies to keep her brand fresh and her fans hooked - or, in technical terms, “how she applies principles of a particular communication discipline to supplement her musical career".
This course is open to everyone, from high school students keen for an early intro to university study to working pros looking to expand their knowledge.
“Throughout her career, Taylor Swift has demonstrated excellence in lyrics, music, and the cultivation of a pop culture phenomenon,” says Senior Lecturer Rebecca Trelease (Te Āti Haunui a Pāpārangi).
“What must also be examined is Swift’s prowess as a communications professional – the backbone to curating and maintaining her career in the media,” she adds.
This course comes off the back of the huge interest at ‘Swiftposium’ – an academic conference earlier this year during Taylor’s Eras Tour in Melbourne. The event went into Taylor’s global impact and influence on Swifties everywhere.
The new AUT course runs from 18 November to 13 December (Taylor’s birthday… 😉). Classes are three days a week, so it's quite the commitment, but if there’s enough people keen, the course may also be offered online.
Right! I'm scrapping my cruel summer and dedicating it to becoming a scholar Swifite - anyone else?!
