On a Wednesday, in a hallway, I watched it begin again…

Taylor Swift—singer, songwriter, performer, billionaire, and 2023’s TIME Person of the Year. This three-unit upper division course will unearth the techniques, power, and responsibilities of becoming one of today’s most relevant figures in pop culture.

Swift’s longevity and impact in a competitive industry gives us insight into how she impacts the global economy, sustains customer loyalty and customer acquisition, and manages public relations. Swift’s evolution as a contemporary artist and advocate arms us with the tools to tackle broader issues such as copyright and antitrust as well as grapple with larger questions of ethics, morality, and legality.

We’ll dissect nuanced meanings of and connections fostered by Swift’s songwriting; examine case studies of Swift’s battles and triumphs; learn business strategies catapulting Swift to stardom; and adopt a critical lens of Swift’s role as an activist—and yours. With a unique blend of law, business, economics, and communication, we’ll explore how art and authenticity create enduring value and reflect compelling arguments about the self and beyond. We’ll put her under scrutiny, but handle it beautifully.

Guest Speakers will share their respective expertise related to our exploration.

Requirements to pass the class:
Attend, engage, and participate in in-person lectures (max of 3 absences allowed). This includes doing weekly readings, listenings, and watchings before class.
Complete one entrepreneurship exercise, one policy memo, and one artistry essay.
Complete a final project (in-class group presentation).

The devil’s in the details, but you got a friend in our website, where you can find a list of topics, speakers, and publicity: https://sites.google.com/view/taylorswiftdecal

Apply by Monday, September 9th at 11:59pm. Decisions will be made on a rolling basis. Our first class is on Wednesday, September 11th.