Literature students at the Belgian University of Ghent will soon be able to study the lyrics of US singer Taylor Swift. “In the coming semester we are offering the course “Literature (Taylor’s Version)” for master’s students,” said a spokeswoman for the university. The course offers an in-depth look at key themes, genres and techniques of English literature (circa 900-1900) through the lens of modern popular music, particularly the work of Taylor Swift.
Swift also makes frequent references to literary texts in her music. Your songs would have referred to “The Great Gatsby”, “Peter Pan”, “Alice in Wonderland” or “Romeo and Juliet”. “Moreover, her diverse musical oeuvre spans a kaleidoscopic range of genres – both musical and literary.” Swift uses a variety of textual techniques that have centuries-old roots in English literature.
However, it is explicitly pointed out that the course is also open to those who are not fans of the singer – so-called Swifties – or have never heard her music. “The aim of the course is to take a critical look at Swift as an artist and writer.” The focus of the course is on English literature, Swift is used for introduction and contextualisation.
